Sukhbir Badal attacked with kirpan at Nanded gurdwara, cop injured while foiling assault: How it unfolded
CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan while visiting Mata Sahib Gurdwara at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded on Thursday.A police inspector sustained injuries while protecting him.Badal, who was accompanied by his wife and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, as well as security personnel from Punjab and Maharashtra Police, suffered an injury to his hand in the incident. He was immediately taken to Yasho Sai Hospital in Nanded for treatment and is reported to be out of danger.
Security personnel overpower attacker
The attack took place while Badal was on a religious visit to the gurdwara. He was attacked by an unidentified Nihang, following which security personnel intervened and overpowered the attacker before he could cause further harm.Police inspector Santosh Kendre, posted with the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of Nanded Police, was also injured while safeguarding Badal.The SPU is a special Maharashtra Police unit deployed in each district for the security and protection of VVIPs during their movement.
Fadnavis orders probe, speaks to Badal
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis sought information from the Nanded Superintendent of Police regarding the attack. The accused was arrested immediately, and Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the motive behind the attack.Fadnavis also spoke to Badal over the phone and enquired about his health. Badal is now in stable condition.
Attacker identified
Police identified the attacker as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, son of Teja Singh and a resident of Solapur Bazaar in Pune. He has reportedly been residing at Mata Sahib Gurdwara for the past two years.Police have launched an investigation into the attack and are probing the motive and circumstances leading to it. Security was stepped up in and around the gurdwara following the incident.
