Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal Injured in Nanded Sword Attack

On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was attacked with a kirpan (traditional dagger) while visiting the Mata Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. The assailant, identified as a Nihang Sikh sevadar (volunteer) at the gurudwara, struck Badal’s hand before being apprehended by police. Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile confirmed the injury was minor and that Badal, who was accompanied by his wife and Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was stable and out of danger (The Hindu).

The attack occurred during Badal’s two-day visit to Nanded district, where he was scheduled to visit multiple gurudwaras. Police stated the attacker, later named as Jaspal Singh—a court clerk who had served as a sevadar at Mata Sahib for two years—wore traditional Nihang attire during the assault. Initial media reports suggested two individuals were involved, but Nanded Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar clarified, “Only one accused [is involved], a Nihang sevadar” (The Hindu). A police inspector who intervened to protect Badal also sustained injuries during the incident.

This marks the second reported attack on Badal in less than two years. On December 4, 2024, he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Punjab. SAD leaders have drawn parallels between the two incidents, with senior party member Bikram Singh Majithia calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into both attacks. “The Central government must immediately hand over the investigation into both the Punjab and Maharashtra incidents to the CBI,” Majithia said, alleging a potential “common conspiracy, local facilitation or involvement of foreign handlers” (The Hindu).

Political reactions to the attack have been swift. Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Harsimrat Kaur Badal to inquire about her husband’s health. Congress leader and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Partap Singh Bajwa condemned the violence, stating, “There can be no justification for violence in a democracy. Places of faith must remain sanctuaries of peace, harmony, and security, irrespective of political differences” (The Hindu). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon echoed the sentiment, calling the incident “deeply unfortunate and concerning,” especially given its occurrence at a sacred site (The Hindu).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into the attack, with police investigating the assailant’s motives. While the Nihang community, known for its martial traditions and adherence to strict Sikh principles, has not been linked to organized violence in recent years, the attack raises questions about security protocols at religious sites and the potential for isolated actors to exploit such environments.

As of Friday, authorities have not disclosed whether Jaspal Singh acted alone or if external influences played a role. The SAD’s demand for a CBI investigation underscores lingering tensions between state and central agencies in handling high-profile cases. With Badal’s health stabilized, attention shifts to the ongoing inquiry and its implications for inter-state security coordination and political discourse in Punjab and beyond.