Sukhbir Singh Badal Injured in Gurdwara Knife Attack

A man dressed as a Nihang attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, with a kirpan on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The assault occurred at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, as Badal was leaving the shrine. The assailant, identified as 62-year-old gurdwara sevadar Jaspal Singh, allegedly attempted to stab Badal in the stomach but instead caused a four-to-five centimeter wound on his right forearm. A Special Protection Unit officer, Santosh Kele, was also injured while intervening.

Badal and the officer were treated at Yashosai Hospital and reported to be in stable condition. Nanded Police arrested the suspect immediately. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a full inquiry into the motive and potential security lapses. While police officials denied a security failure, citing that Z-plus security facilitated the quick arrest, SAD leaders characterized the event as a massive intelligence failure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the assault, with Modi contacting Badal's wife, MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, to inquire about his health. SAD officials suggested the attack was a conspiracy by anti-Sikh forces or political opponents. This incident follows a previous assassination attempt on Badal in December 2024 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. AAP leader Baltej Pannu condemned the violence but noted that the SAD must acknowledge ongoing community resentment regarding 2015 sacrilege incidents.