Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked by a Nihang Sikh carrying a kirpan on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, according to reports from NDTV, PTI, ANI, and News18. Badal sustained an injury to his right hand during the assault, received stitches, and was rushed to Yashosai Hospital, where he is currently stable and undergoing treatment.
Details of the Attack at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara
According to sources cited by NDTV and News18, the incident occurred at around 1:30 pm as Badal was walking down the stairs or near Mata Sahib Gurdwara after offering prayers. Badal had visited the gurudwara alongside his family, including his wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was present at the scene but remained safe and unharmed. The attacker, identified as a Nihang Sikh named Jaspal Singh who had reportedly worked at the gurudwara for the past two years, attempted to stab Badal in the stomach with a kirpan before security personnel intervened and stopped him.
Visual footage recorded after the incident showed Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his right hand. A security personnel deployed in Badal’s special security detail, Inspector Santosh Kendre, was also attacked and injured while intervening in the scuffle near Mata Sahib Gurdwara, as reported by News18 and PTI. Police officials quickly intervened and overpowered the assailant, and Jaspal Singh was taken into custody, as confirmed by Nanded Superintendent of Police Rohan Neelabh to IANS.
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigations
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke directly with the Nanded Superintendent of Police to seek details about the incident and subsequently spoke with Badal over the phone to inquire about his health, according to News18. Fadnavis directed the police to investigate the motive behind the attack and examine CCTV footage to establish the sequence of events. Akali Dal sources informed NDTV that Badal’s hand injury is not life-threatening.
Did You Know? Sukhbir Singh Badal operates under a top-tier Z-plus security cover due to high threat perceptions, a protection level that became critical following a prior assassination attempt on December 4, 2024, outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Context of Previous Security Incidents
This event marks an additional physical assault against the Akali Dal chief. On December 4, 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar while performing ‘sewadar’ or ‘sewa’ duties at the entrance. That earlier incident occurred after the Akal Takht pronounced the religious punishment of ‘tankhah’ for Badal and several other Akali Dal leaders concerning mistakes made during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. In the 2024 attack, a gunman opened fire, but security personnel immediately overpowered and arrested the assailant on the spot, leaving Badal unharmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was attacked in Nanded on Thursday, August 13, 2026?
Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, Maharashtra.
What injuries did Sukhbir Singh Badal sustain?
According to hospital reports and party sources, Badal sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his right hand, received stitches, and was treated at Yashosai Hospital, where he remains stable.
Who is the suspect in custody?
The attacker has been identified as Jaspal Singh, a Nihang Sikh who had reportedly worked at the gurudwara for the past two years.
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