AI-written summary of reporting by The Times of India. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan on Thursday during a religious visit to Mata Sahib Gurdwara at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, sustaining an injury to his hand. A police inspector was also injured while protecting him, and the attacker was arrested immediately.

The Times of India

Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked with kirpan at Nanded gurdwara; police inspector injured

Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked with kirpan at Nanded gurdwara; police inspector injured
Aug 13, 2026, 6:02 AM

Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan on Thursday during a religious visit to Mata Sahib Gurdwara at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, sustaining an injury to his hand. A police inspector was also injured while protecting him, and the attacker was arrested immediately.

Context

Badal was accompanied at the gurdwara by his wife and Shiromani Akali Dal Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal, along with security personnel from both Punjab and Maharashtra Police. He was taken to Yasho Sai Hospital in Nanded for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Police Inspector Santosh Kendre, posted with the Special Protection Unit of Nanded Police — a Maharashtra Police unit deployed in each district for the security of VVIPs during movement — sustained injuries while intervening to shield Badal from further harm.

Police identified the attacker as Jaspal Singh, 62, son of Teja Singh and a resident of Solapur Bazaar in Pune, who had reportedly been living at Mata Sahib Gurdwara for the past two years. Security was stepped up in and around the gurdwara following the incident.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis contacted the Nanded Superintendent of Police to seek details of the attack, ordered an inquiry into the motive, and spoke with Badal by phone to enquire about his health.

All Perspectives
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the motive behind the attack and spoke to Badal over the phone to enquire about his health.
Position not represented in the source reporting: Jaspal Singh (attacker) — no statement or account from him or his representatives is included.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not state the specific motive for the attack.
  • The source does not state what charges, if any, have been filed against Jaspal Singh.
  • The source does not state the nature or severity of Police Inspector Santosh Kendre's injuries.
  • The source does not include any statement from Sukhbir Singh Badal or his party regarding the attack.
  • The source does not state whether the attacker had any prior contact with or grievance against Badal.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. The Times of India — original

Read the original at The Times of India

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