Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked inside a gurudwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Wednesday afternoon. The senior Akali Dal leader sustained an injury to his right hand after a Nihang allegedly struck him with a sharp-edged weapon, believed to be a kirpan, inside the Mata Sahib Kaur gurudwara complex.
Following the assault, Sukhbir Singh Badal was rushed to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. Visuals from outside the hospital showed the former Deputy CM walking in with a cloth wrapped around his injured hand, surrounded by security personnel. Police have detained a person in connection with the attack and are questioning him to establish the motive behind the assault.
How the Attack Unfolded in Nanded
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been taken to a hospital after he was reportedly attacked inside a Gurudwara in Nanded. More details awaited.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2026
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/RvZkrc0nNv
Sukhbir Singh Badal was on a personal visit to the gurudwara and had been provided adequate security cover for the scheduled visit. During the visit, an unidentified man suddenly entered the gurudwara premises and attacked him, leaving him with minor injuries. A police inspector who intervened to protect the Akali Dal leader also sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.
The attacker was overpowered and taken into custody immediately after the incident. Authorities have since stepped up security around Sukhbir Singh Badal as the investigation continues. Police are working to determine whether the attack was premeditated or an isolated act, and further details are expected once questioning of the detained individual is complete.
Second Attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in Two Years
This is not the first time Sukhbir Singh Badal has come under attack. On December 4, 2024, he survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where a gunman opened fire at close range while he was performing “sewa” as part of a religious penance. He escaped unhurt on that occasion as well.
The latest incident has triggered fresh concerns over the security protocols surrounding senior political leaders, particularly at religious sites where access is typically less restricted. Akali Dal workers and supporters are expected to react strongly to the news, with the party likely to demand a thorough probe into the security lapse.
