Wed Dec 04 08:51:55 UTC 2024: ## Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal Survives Assassination Attempt at Golden Temple

**Amritsar, Punjab:** Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and a prominent figure in Punjab politics, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday morning. The attack occurred while Badal was performing community service at the sacred site, a religious penance imposed by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.

The assailant, identified as Narayan Singh Chawla, a man with a history of involvement with the Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) and over 20 criminal cases against him, including charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), approached Badal and fired a pistol. Security personnel and temple volunteers swiftly apprehended Chawla, preventing further harm. Badal, who enjoys Z+ security, was unharmed.

The incident raises serious questions about security lapses at the Golden Temple, a highly secure location. Investigators are focusing on how Chawla, with such a documented criminal record including involvement in supplying weapons and explosives during the 1980s insurgency and his association with various militant groups, was able to gain access to the temple with a firearm. Chawla has been previously arrested for helping deliver contraband to convicts, including those involved in the assassination of former Chief Minister Beant Singh.

Punjab Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that adequate security measures were in place and the quick response of officers prevented the attack from succeeding. He assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and urged calm.

The attack has sparked intense political reactions. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Waring criticized the Bhagwant Mann government’s failure to ensure Badal’s safety, questioning the security of ordinary citizens. SAD leaders have described the event as a major conspiracy. The incident has heightened political tensions in the state.

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