Sukhbir Singh Badal Shot At In Golden Temple, Assailant Arrested

An unidentified assailant fired at former Punjab Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal during his penance at Golden Temple. The assailant was overpowered by people on the spot and arrested by the police.

The shooter, identified as Narain Singh Chaura from Gurdaspur district, around 75 km from Amritsar, was seen approaching the gate calmly before suddenly drawing a gun.

A man standing close to Badal noticed him in time and restrained his hand, causing the gun to discharge. The shot missed Badal and those nearby. Authorities are investigating the motive behind this attack.

"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...," ADCP Harpal Singh told ANI.

The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht issued a 'tankhah' (religious punishment) to Badal and other leaders for the mistakes committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. On Monday, the clergy directed the senior Akali leader to serve as a 'sewadar' (volunteer) by washing dishes and cleaning shoes at the Golden Temple.

On Tuesday, Badal, wearing a blue 'sewadar' uniform and holding a spear in one hand, was seen at the entrance of the Golden Temple, fulfilling his punishment despite having a fractured leg. He was seated in a wheelchair while performing the tasks.