An assailant has attempted to murder a notable Indian politician at the Golden Temple situated in Amritsar, India.
The shooter directed fire at Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former deputy chief minister of Punjab, within one of the most revered shrines in the Sikh faith on Wednesday.
No casualties were reported.
The individual, later recognized as 68-year-old Narain Singh Chaura, was subdued by nearby witnesses and subsequently handed over to law enforcement.
The incident occurred at one of the most sacred Sikh locations. File pic: saiko3p/iStock
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that the assailant was “a former terrorist and a criminal.”
“He has been apprehended, and the weapon has been seized,” he confirmed.
The occurrence was recorded by journalists capturing footage of Mr. Badal, who was undertaking his “sewadar” as a form of religious penance imposed by the Akal Takht, the supreme spiritual authority for Sikhs.
He, along with some of his party officials, was mandated to execute tasks such as guard duty, dishwashing, and cleaning footwear and restrooms at the Golden Temple and various other gurdwaras.
A small placard was displayed around his neck, acknowledging the “misdeeds” attributed to him and his administration during his tenure in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
At the moment of the assassination attempt, Mr. Badal was situated in a wheelchair, nursing a broken leg, while holding a spear as a guard at the temple entrance.
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Mr. Bhullar indicated that vigilant police personnel were able to thwart the assault.
“Stationing officers in uniform at the Golden Temple presented a significant challenge due to religious sentiments,” he remarked.
“Numerous restrictions exist regarding the examination or searching of individuals arriving at the temple. We undertook all possible measures, and the outcome reflects our preparedness.”
The attacker is thought to be associated with the now-defunct militant organization Khalistan Liberation Army.
Officials from Mr. Badal’s party, alongside opposition figures, are urging a comprehensive judicial investigation into the episode, claiming that the law and order situation in Punjab is declining—a statement that the ruling state administration disputes.
