Sukhbir Badal attacked by Nihang with Kirpan in Maharashtra, suffers injury to hand

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp weapon, reportedly a kirpan, inside a gurdwara in Nanded, suffering a minor injury to his right hand.Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with Kirpan.Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp weapon inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded on Thursday, police said.The attack took place around 1.45 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, where Badal was visiting. The attacker was identified as Nihang Jaspal Singh Tejpal and was detained by police shortly after the incident.Badal suffered a minor injury to his right hand and was rushed to a private hospital for treatment. He is undergoing treatment at Yashosai Hospital and is out of danger.Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed as part of Badal's security detail, was also attacked and suffered minor injuries while trying to protect him. The attacker, Jaspal Singh Tejpal, was detained by police shortly after the incident. Police are questioning the attacker and conducting further investigation into the incident. Nihang Jaspal Singh Tejpal The attack took place inside the gurdwara premises. Sukhbir Singh Badal is the son of former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.MAHARASHTRA CM ORDERS DETAILED INVESTIGATION Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a detailed report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police. According to officials, the accused was arrested immediately after the attack.The Chief Minister also directed police to investigate the motive behind the assault. Officials said Sukhbir Singh Badal is in stable condition.The Maharashtra CMO also said that Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Sukhbir Singh Badal over the phone and enquired about his health following the attack.Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told India Today that the government would investigate whether there had been any lapse in Sukhbir Singh Badal's security.He said security had been provided in accordance with the prescribed protocol and that the Superintendent of Police's office had taken all necessary precautions. However, he added that authorities would examine the circumstances on the ground to determine how the attack occurred.Shiromani Akali Dal national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar termed the incident a serious security lapse, saying Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked while on his way to pay obeisance at the gurdwara. He said Badal sustained injuries to his hand and that his security officer was also reportedly injured while protecting him.Talwar described the attack as an assault not only on Badal but also on the unity and integrity of Punjab. He said the incident raised serious concerns over the security arrangements, noting that Badal is a former Punjab deputy chief minister with Z+ security cover.BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also condemned the attack, calling it completely unacceptable and saying violence had no place in a democratic society. While acknowledging that political differences were a natural part of democracy, he said they could never justify violence.Bittu said Punjab had already suffered through years of violence and militancy and stressed that such a period should never return. He wished Sukhbir Singh Badal a speedy recovery and urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.He also appealed to people to maintain peace and uphold democratic values and the rule of law.The cowardly attempt on Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji’s life is deeply condemnable and a direct threat to Punjab’s peace and security.Violence and intimidation have no place in our holy shrines. The perpetrators must be exposed and punished, and those responsible for the— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) August 13, 2026Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon also condemned the attack, saying he was deeply concerned over the incident at Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib."I offer prayers for his swift recovery and rising spirits. Violence has no place in any society or democracy, especially not on the sacred ground of our revered Takht Sahiban—absolutely not. The holy land of Sri Hazur Sahib imparts to us the message of peace, service, contemplation, and the welfare of all. Such a violent incident at this sacred site is profoundly distressing and utterly condemnable," he tweeted.Wishing Sukhbir Singh Badal a speedy recovery, Dhillon said violence had no place, particularly at one of Sikhism's sacred Takhts.In December 2024, former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist and Khalistani activist Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple. Badal was serving as a 'sewadar' at the temple entrance as part of a religious punishment at the time.Badal was unharmed in the 2024 shooting.- EndsPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 14:46 IST