Top Cop Says Alert Cops Foiled Attack On Sukhbir Badal, Lists Challenges

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said it was a police officer who first spotted the attacker, Narain Singh.

Amid the Opposition's questions regarding Punjab's law and order situation after the assassination attempt on Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal at Golden Temple, Amritsar police said the attack was foiled by alert cops protecting the former Deputy Chief Minister.

The incident occurred when Mr Badal was serving penance at the entrance of the Golden Temple. He was performing 'sewadar' duties after the Akal Takht pronounced the 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for him and several other Akali Dal leaders for "mistakes" committed during the party's rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said it was a police officer who first spotted the attacker, Narain Singh. When he took out a firearm, the officer grabbed him and the shooter missed his target. The bullet was fired, but it hit the wall. He named police officers Rishpal Singh, Jasbir and Parminder Singh and congratulated them for their swift response.