SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked in Maharashtra’s Nanded, Fadnavis orders probe

NANDED (Maharashtra): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was “attacked by a Nihang” inside a gurudwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday, the district police said and added that he was taken to a hospital after injuries to his hand.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal. The CM spoke with Sukhbir Singh Badal on the phone. Badal is learnt to have told Fadnavis that he is stable. Fadnavis sought information about the incident from the Nanded Superintendent of Police, CMO sources said.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was reportedly attacked in Nanded. He is being shifted to a private hospital for medical treatment. Sources say he is stable. https://t.co/CVm7xE3nc8 pic.twitter.com/2lEJLnZCKW

— Ravinder Singh Robin (@rsrobin1) August 13, 2026

They said the accused was arrested immediately, and the Chief Minister has ordered an investigation into the motive behind the attack. Badal’s condition is reported to be stable, the sources said.

Shocking attack in Nanded.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur. He sustained a hand injury; a security officer was also hurt. The assailant has been detained. Badal is stable and under treatment.

Wishing him a swift… pic.twitter.com/mPnu22D9W6

— Sachin Singh (@CerebrumPeak) August 13, 2026

Badal also faced an attack in December 2024, when he was targeted in an attempted shooting at the Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing ‘seva’. The attacker allegedly attempted to fire at Badal but was overpowered before he could cause harm.

The 2024 attack took place while Badal was carrying out ‘seva’ after the Akal Takht declared him a ‘tankhaiya’, or guilty of religious misconduct, over decisions taken by the SAD-led Punjab government between 2007 and 2017. Following the 2024 incident, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had criticised the Punjab Police and raised questions over security arrangements. (ANI)