Badal Attacked in Nanded, Injury to Arm

August

2026

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Panjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked near Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deevan Ji in Nanded, Maharashtra on 13 Aug. Badal was attacked by 62-year-old Nihang (traditional warrior) Jaspal Singh with a sharp-edged weapon, allegedly a kirpan (traditional sword), and sustained an injury to his right hand. The attack took place at 1:30 pm IST when Badal was coming down the steps of the Gurdwara after offering prayers. Jaspal attempted to stab Badal in the stomach, but the security personnel intervened. Badal was rushed to Yashosai Hospital for treatment and was discharged the next day after treatment. A security personnel, Santosh Kendre, deployed in Badal's security, was also injured in the attack. Badal's wife and SAD Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal was with him when the attack took place. Jaspal is from Pune, Maharashtra and used to work as a lawyer in a Pune court. For the past two years, however, he had been serving at Gurdwara Mata Sahib which is managed by Nihangs. Police have taken Jaspal into custody and are investigating his background, his activities at the Gurdwara and the events immediately preceding the assault. They have not yet established a clear motive behind the attack. Emerging from the hospital after treatment, with his right hand in a cast, Badal said he was 'feeling perfect' and 'is not afraid'. He added, 'A lot of forces do not want peace in Panjab and in this country. They feel Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission. These forces, which have been prevalent before, made an attempt on my life a year ago as well. They tried again. Their mission is to take control of the situation in Panjab and disturb peace, which as president of Akali Dal I will never allow it. Neither my father allowed it. Both times they attacked me in the holiest of places.' On 4 Dec 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar. He was unharmed, and the gunman was quickly overpowered and arrested on the spot. Badal was attacked while he was performing duties after Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne) pronounced the tankhah (salary, implying punishment) for him and several other SAD leaders for 'mistakes' committed during the SAD’s rule in Panjab from 2007–17 (earlier coverage).