Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal injured in Nanded attack; two suspects held

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal suffered a minor hand injury on Thursday after two unidentified persons attacked him at a gurudwara in Maharashtra's Nanded district. Police said the suspects, who were allegedly dressed as Nihang Sikhs, have been taken into custody and are being questioned.

Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile confirmed the incident, stating that Mr. Badal was visiting the Mata Sahib Gurudwara as part of a two-day tour of the district when he was attacked. “He suffered a minor injury on the hand. He is stable and out of danger,” Mr. Kardile said, adding that a police inspector who intervened to protect the SAD chief also sustained injuries. Mr. Badal's wife, Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was present at the time.

Preliminary information suggests that the attackers used a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger often carried by Sikhs, to carry out the assault. Maharashtra Police have launched an investigation, though no official statement has been released regarding the motive or the identities of the suspects.

The incident comes two years after Mr. Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Amritsar. In 2024, a former militant with alleged pro-Khalistan sympathies opened fire at him outside the Golden Temple, where Mr. Badal was performing penance for what he described as his 'mistakes'. He escaped unhurt in that attack after security personnel overpowered the gunman.

Reacting to Thursday's attack, senior SAD leader Daljit Cheema demanded a high-level independent inquiry. “Mr. Badal was in Nanded and after paying obeisance at Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurudwara, he had gone to another Gurudwara nearby, when a person in his mid-sixties attacked him with a 'kirch' (dagger). The person was wearing traditional attire (bana). What is the actual conspiracy behind the incident, and who is the person? Whether he is actually a Nihang or belongs to some group will only be known after the investigation,” Mr. Cheema told The Hindu.

“This is a serious matter. Whenever Akali Dal rises, conspiracies start right then,” he added, suggesting a political dimension to the attack.

Authorities have not commented on Mr. Cheema's remarks, and the investigation remains ongoing. The SAD chief's condition is stable, and he is expected to continue his scheduled engagements after a brief period of rest, according to local officials.