On 4 Dec, at 9:30 am, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when he was shot at while he was performing the Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) mandated guard duty outside Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. The attempt was foiled by a man standing near Badal who lifted the shooter’s arm. Badal was unhurt. The shooter has been identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Chaura was arrested at the scene with a pistol. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that a detailed security deployment was in place, with 175 plainclothes police on duty. Bhullar credited the timely intervention of the police, including Rashpal Singh, who identified Chaura and followed him as he attempted to fire at Badal. Special Director General Police (Law and Order, Panjab) Arpit Shukla said that Badal is under Z-plus security, with protection from both Panjab Police and central forces. Chaura is wanted in nearly 30 cases, including one under the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ropar districts. Chaura is allegedly responsible for masterminding the Burail Jail break in Chandigarh in 2004. AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh said, ‘The attack was not on Badal but on a sevadar (one performing service) of Darbar Sahib,’ and demanded ‘the state government thoroughly investigate the matter to expose the miscreants and their motives.’ Leader of Opposition and senior INC leader Partap Singh Bajwa said the attack ‘is deeply unfortunate and unequivocally condemnable.’
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Liv Forum provides a digest of analysis on major issues facing Indian (East) Panjab and Sikhs globally.
In accordance with our Privacy Policy, we will never share or sell the information of our subscribers.
