2 weeks ago
Sukhbir Badal Attacker Arrested After Kirpan Attack in Nanded
A man named Jaspal Singh attacked a leader named Sukhbir Badal.
Mr Badal is the chief of a political party called the Akali Dal and he used to be the deputy chief minister of Punjab, a state in India.
The attack happened in a city called Nanded, in Maharashtra, at a very special Sikh place of worship called a gurudwara.
Mr Badal was leaving the gurudwara after praying when the man attacked him.
The man used a kirpan, a special knife that many Sikhs carry.
Mr Badal was hurt on his right hand and had to go to the hospital for surgery.
Police caught the attacker very quickly.
During the commotion, the man's turban fell off, and turbans are very important in the Sikh faith, so people first helped him put it back on before he was taken away.
The man told police he blamed Mr Badal for drugs in Punjab, but the police are still checking why he did it.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Akali Dal chief and former deputy chief minister of Punjab, was attacked with a kirpan in Nanded, Maharashtra.
The attacker, Nihang Sikh Jaspal Singh — a volunteer at the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara, originally from Pune — was arrested at the scene.
Badal suffered a right-hand injury and was taken to a private hospital in Nanded for surgery; police personnel Santosh Kendre was also injured, and both are reported stable.
After Singh's turban came off during the chaos, onlookers helped him re-tie it before he was handed to police.
Singh reportedly told police he attacked Badal over the drug menace in Punjab, but the motive is unconfirmed and SP Rohan Neelabh is questioning him.
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, Akali Dal chief and former deputy chief minister of Punjab, and attacker Jaspal Singh, a Nihang Sikh volunteer at the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara.
- What
- Badal was attacked with a kirpan while leaving the gurudwara after paying obeisance, injuring his right hand; Singh was arrested at the scene.
- Where
- Steps of the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, Maharashtra; one report places the attack near Mata Sahib Gurdwara.
- When
- Thursday morning, August 13, 2026.
- Why
- Singh reportedly told police he held Badal responsible for the drug menace in Punjab, but the motive is not officially confirmed and police are questioning him.
Key facts
- Victim
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, Akali Dal chief and former deputy chief minister of Punjab
- Attacker
- Jaspal Singh, Nihang Sikh and sevadar at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara
- Attacker background
- Originally from Pune; holds B.Com and LLB degrees; served as sevadar for two years
- Weapon
- Kirpan
- Location
- Steps of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara, Nanded, Maharashtra
- Injury
- Right hand, requiring surgery; police personnel Santosh Kendre also injured; both stable
- Investigation
- Probe ordered by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis; SP Rohan Neelabh questioning attacker
- Reported motive
- Singh told police he blamed Badal for the drug menace in Punjab; not officially confirmed
Quotes
Superintendent of Police Rohan Neelabh
Nanded SP overseeing the case
“I have ordered a probe into the incident and have asked for information from the Nanded Superintendent of Police.”
freepressjournal.in
“I attacked Badal because he holds me responsible for the drug menace in Punjab.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Related news
Nihang Jaspal Singh Attacks Sukhbir Singh Badal at Nanded Gurdwara
Lawyer-turned-Nihang Sikh says Waheguru ordered Badal attack
Sukhbir Badal Attack 'Attempt to Kill', FIR Reveals
Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked In Nanded
Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked at Nanded Gurdwara; Attacker Arrested
Sukhbir Badal injured in second attack at Nanded gurdwara
