In a shocking incident at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Wednesday. The attacker, later identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former Khalistani terrorist, approached Badal while the senior political leader was performing a religious penance at the shrine. The attack occurred as Badal, 68, was sitting in a wheelchair at the Golden Temple, where he had been serving as a ‘sewadar’ (volunteer) in penance for the mistakes made by the SAD government between 2007 and 2017.

The incident unfolded when the shooter, who had been mingling with devotees, walked towards Badal, sitting at the main gate of the Golden Temple. Chaura quietly took out a gun from his pocket and aimed it at Badal. However, before the shooter could carry out the attack, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh, who was standing nearby in plainclothes, noticed the threat and swiftly reacted. Singh pounced on Chaura, grabbed his hands, and pushed the gun upwards, preventing further escalation. The attacker was then overpowered with the help of other security personnel and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force.

In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, and the bullet struck the entrance wall of the Golden Temple behind Badal, missing him by inches. Badal, fortunately, escaped unharmed. The attack was caught on camera by reporters present at the temple, who were covering Badal’s penance during the second day of his service at the shrine. The incident has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at one of the holiest sites in Sikhism.

Following the attack, Narain Singh Chaura was arrested and sent to a three-day police custody by an Amritsar court. Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla confirmed that Chaura has a history of involvement in terrorist activities and is facing more than 20 criminal cases, including charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). One of the most notorious cases linked to Chaura was the 2004 Burail jailbreak, where he was accused of helping several terrorists escape from a Punjab prison, including Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora. Chaura has spent time in several jails across Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh but was out on bail at the time of the attack.

Chaura’s wife, Jasmeet Kaur, confirmed that her husband had left for the Golden Temple on the day of the incident, adding that he admitted to her that his actions were wrong. At present, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are continuing their investigation into Chaura’s intentions. As police question the attacker, they will seek to determine whether the assault was part of a larger plot or whether it was an isolated act of personal revenge.

This attack on a prominent political leader has raised questions about security protocols at places of religious significance, especially in the wake of rising tensions related to political movements and religious sentiments. Sukhbir Singh Badal, a key figure in Punjab politics, has faced numerous threats over the years, given his high-profile role and connections with the Sikh community. The fact that he was able to escape this assassination attempt thanks to quick action from local law enforcement and security forces highlights the vigilance required to prevent such attacks.

The incident has also once again brought attention to the issue of Khalistani extremism and the lingering tensions it causes within Punjab. Despite the decline of the Khalistan movement in recent years, incidents like this remind the public and law enforcement agencies of the continuing risks posed by fringe elements who still harbor separatist ideologies.

As the investigation continues, the Punjab police are focusing on Narain Singh Chaura’s past and any potential connections he might have with terrorist groups. This attempt on Badal’s life is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges related to political violence, terrorism, and the need for heightened security in vulnerable areas.

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