SAD chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra on Thursday, August 13, 2026, prompting his security team to intervene and rush him to a private hospital. Badal suffered an injury to his hand in the incident, while a security guard accompanying him was also injured while attempting to protect the Akali Dal leader.
The incident took place at around 11 am when Badal was visiting Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur on the outskirts of Nanded along with supporters and security personnel. According to the information available so far, an armed man approached the SAD president amid the gathering and attempted to attack him.
The security personnel reacted quickly and intervened, apparently preventing the attacker from causing more serious harm to Badal. However, the guard sustained injuries during the struggle, while Badal suffered an injury to his hand.
Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked at Nanded Gurdwara
The attack took place during Badal’s visit to Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, a religious site located on the outskirts of Nanded and surrounded by forested areas. The presence of supporters and visitors created a crowded environment around the SAD leader.
According to reports, the attacker managed to move close to Badal while taking advantage of the rush at the gurdwara. The individual reportedly carried a sharp-edged weapon and launched an attack on the Akali Dal chief.
The exact circumstances surrounding the attack, including the motive of the accused and how the weapon was brought into the premises, are expected to form part of the investigation.
Reports said the alleged attacker, identified in initial accounts as a Nihang Sikh, was apprehended following the incident. His identity, motive and the precise sequence of events will need to be established through the official investigation.
Badal was subsequently taken to a private hospital for medical treatment. His condition was reported to be stable following the incident.
Security Guard Injured While Protecting SAD Chief
The attack could have resulted in more serious consequences had Badal’s security personnel not reacted immediately.
A security guard accompanying the SAD president intervened when the attacker moved towards him. During the intervention, the guard suffered injuries while attempting to shield Badal from the assault.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security arrangements surrounding senior political leaders, particularly during public visits to religious places where large gatherings can make close protection more difficult.
For political leaders who regularly interact with members of the public, maintaining a balance between accessibility and security remains a major challenge. The Nanded incident is likely to prompt questions about how the attacker managed to get close to Badal while carrying a sharp-edged weapon.
Authorities are expected to examine security arrangements at the gurdwara, the movement of the accused before the attack and the response of security personnel after the incident.
What Happened During the Attack
According to the information provided following the incident, Badal had arrived at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur along with supporters and security personnel. At approximately 11 am, the alleged attacker approached him amid the crowd.
The man reportedly used a sharp-edged weapon in an attempt to attack the SAD chief. A security guard immediately intervened, stopping the assault from escalating.
Badal nevertheless sustained an injury to his hand. The injured security guard was also taken for medical attention.
The incident occurred in Maharashtra, far from Punjab, where Badal remains one of the most prominent leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The attack therefore carries significance not only because of the injury to a senior political figure but also because it raises questions about security during his religious and public engagements.
Officials are expected to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether the attacker acted alone or had any other motive or association.
Sukhbir Badal’s Previous Attack at Golden Temple
The Nanded incident is particularly significant because it comes less than two years after another attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
On December 4, 2024, Badal was performing the religious duty of a ‘sewadar’ outside the Golden Temple when Narayan Singh Chaura attacked him. Chaura, who had a history linked to the Khalistan militancy period, approached Badal while carrying a firearm and attempted to shoot him.
Security personnel and others present at the spot reacted immediately. The attack was foiled, although the incident generated widespread concern over the security of the SAD leader.
The 2024 attack had occurred at one of Sikhism’s most important religious sites and attracted significant political and public attention. The latest incident in Nanded has once again placed Badal’s personal security under scrutiny.
The recurrence of attacks involving a prominent political leader at religious locations is likely to intensify questions about security protocols and crowd management during such visits.
Security Concerns Around the Akali Dal Chief
The latest attack also comes at a sensitive time for the Shiromani Akali Dal, one of Punjab’s oldest political parties. Badal, as the party president and a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, remains a significant figure in the state’s political landscape.
The incident in Nanded highlights the challenges security agencies face when political leaders visit places that attract large numbers of devotees. Religious sites often involve open public access, making it difficult to maintain the same level of controlled security that can be established at government buildings or private venues.
At the same time, the quick intervention by Badal’s security personnel appears to have prevented the situation from becoming more serious. The injury suffered by the guard demonstrates the risks faced by close-protection personnel during such incidents.
The authorities will now have to determine how the alleged attacker reached Badal, whether there were any security lapses and what prompted the assault.
As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge regarding the identity of the accused, the weapon used, the exact sequence of events and the security arrangements in place at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur.
For now, Badal has been reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical attention. The injury to the SAD chief and the wounding of his security guard have nevertheless raised fresh concerns about the safety of senior political leaders during public and religious engagements.