Sukhbir Badal escapes assassination bid at Golden Temple

A former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar today morning. The shooter, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a Khalistani activist, was overpowered by people present on the spot and handed over to the police.

Sixty-two-year-old Badal, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, is performing 'sewadar' duties after the Akal Takht pronounced the 'tankhiah' (religious punishment) for him and several other Akali Dal leaders for "mistakes" committed during the party's rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. He has been asked to serve as a 'sewadar', wash dishes and clean shoes at Golden Temple and several other gurdwaras. 

Videos showed the wheelchair-bound Badal, in a blue 'sewadar' uniform and holding a spear, ducking for cover as the shooter whipped out the gun. However, temple officials near the Akali Dal leader were swift to react and overpowered the shooter.

Soon, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force members also intervened. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and SAD leaders strongly condemned the attack on Badal.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Harpal Singh said, “There were proper security arrangements here. Sukhbir ji was properly covered (given cover). Narayan Singh Chaura (assailant) was here yesterday as well. Today too, he first paid obeisance to the Guru."

Also commenting on the incident, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the attack on Badal was foiled because of the alertness of the police. The motive behind the attack will be ascertained after Chaura’s questioning. He came to the Golden Temple alone, a news agency quoted him as saying.

The former Deputy Chief Minister’s wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal reached the Golden Temple later to meet her husband.