Video: How alert ‘sewadar’ saved Sukhbir Badal after man opened fire outside Golden Temple

Badal is currently undergoing religious punishment announced by the Akal Takht

Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt near the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday.

The shocking incident was captured on television footage. As the attacker drew a gun from his pocket, an alert ‘sewadar’ intervened quickly, grabbing the assailant's arms. This resulted in the bullet being discharged in the air instead of hitting Sukhbir.

Police identified the shooter as Narain Singh, a resident of Dera Baba Nanak. He was overpowered by the security outside the temple and was later arrested.

VIDEO | Punjab: A man opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the entrance of Golden Temple, Amritsar. The person was overpowered by people present on the spot. More details are awaited.#PunjabNews#SukhbirSinghBadal(Full video available on PTI pic.twitter.com/LC55kCV864

Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 4, 2024

The incident took place when Badal was performing the duty of 'sewadar' outside the Golden Temple. He is currently undergoing religious punishment announced by the Akal Takht.

The Akal Takht had pronounced Badal guilty (‘tankaiya’) for his “religious misconduct” during SAD’s tenure in office from 2007 to 2017.

The audacious attack was captured on cameras of mediapersons who had gathered outside the Sikh shrine to cover the second day of Badal's penance for "mistakes" committed by the SAD government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the attack on Badal.

“Punjab Police prevented a major incident from happening today. The result of the promptness of the Punjab Police is that the conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis has failed. The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot. I appreciate the promptness of the police. I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal. I have issued strict instructions to the police to investigate the incident and submit a report as soon as possible,” he wrote on X.