Shooter targets Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple; overpowered

In a shocking incident at the Golden Temple on Wednesday morning, a man attempted to open fire on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was performing penance at the shrine's entrance.

The assailant, identified as Narain Singh Chaura from Gurdaspur district, was overpowered by bystanders before any harm could be inflicted, NDTV reported.

Visuals from the scene show Chaura approaching the gate slowly before suddenly pulling out a gun. A vigilant individual near Mr. Badal managed to restrain his hand, causing the gun to discharge but narrowly missing the former Deputy Chief Minister and others nearby.

The shooter has since been arrested, and police are investigating the motive behind the attack.

Mr. Badal, 62, has been serving ‘sewadar’ duties at the Golden Temple as part of the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) pronounced by the Akal Takht.

The punishment pertains to alleged mistakes committed during the SAD-led government’s tenure in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

As penance, he has been tasked with duties such as washing dishes, cleaning shoes, and performing other services at the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras.

Despite having his leg in a cast and sitting in a wheelchair, Mr. Badal has been stationed at the temple’s gate, dressed in a blue 'sewadar' uniform and holding a spear. The incident occurred while he was fulfilling these duties.

Police officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the attempted attack and reviewing footage from the area. The incident has raised concerns over security arrangements at the shrine, particularly for high-profile individuals.

No injuries were reported, and further details are awaited as investigations continue.