An assassination attempt has been made on Punjab’s Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, today. However, he escaped unhurt. Mr Badal was serving penance given by Sri Akal Takhat, recently, while sitting on a wheelchair at the entrance when the attempt was made.

The person, identified as Narain Singh, who tried to shoot him was overpowered by SGPC Sewadars and security personnel, soon after he took out his pistol to shoot. In between, the shot fired by him hit the wall of the gate.

According to sources, he was said to be a Khalistani sympathiser who was involved in Chandigarh’s Burail jailbreak case where the assassins of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh were lodged, during 2003-2004. He was later released on bail.

Meanwhile, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has said that the assassination attempt was made on Mr Badal by Narain Singh, a terrorist and he has been arrested. He informed that Narain Singh was carrying the weapon with him. Further investigation is on to find out any deep conspiracy behind the attempt.

Whereas, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, Giani Raghbir Singh has termed this attack on Badal as an attempt on Sri Akal Takhat as he was serving the penance given by Sri Akal Takhat. He has severely condemned the act and has asked the Punjab government to find out the conspiracy behind this attempt.

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has also condemned the attack on Mr Badal. He said the attack raises questions about the Punjab Government and the law and order situation in the State because of the poor performance of the Punjab Police.

Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former MP and wife of Mr Badal also reached the Golden Temple.