On the morning of 4th November, a shocking incident unfolded at the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar when Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura attempted to assassinate Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Chief Minister of Punjab and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief. The incident, which could have ended in tragedy, has sparked widespread outrage and alarm across Punjab.

Videos of the attempted assassination circulated rapidly on social media, capturing the tense moments as Chaura was overpowered by vigilant security personnel. The Punjab Police promptly detained Chaura, and investigations are now underway to uncover the motivations and broader implications of this dangerous act. According to initial reports, Chaura is currently affiliated with Dal Khalsa and has ties to the Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International, a group notorious for its involvement in extremist activities.

In the viral footage, Chaura was seen approaching the guarded entrance of the Golden Temple, where Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting in a wheelchair, presumably after paying his respects at the holy site. As Chaura neared the area, he pulled out a firearm from his pocket and fired a shot towards Badal, causing immediate panic among the gathered crowd. The quick response of the security team neutralized the threat before any harm could be inflicted.

Following his detention, Chaura was escorted away by the Amritsar Police, ensuring public safety and initiating legal action. However, even as he was being taken into custody, Chaura refused to divulge any information. In front of the media, he remained silent, offering only a smile in response to questions about his identity and motives.

The atmosphere at the Golden Temple turned tense and chaotic the moment the shot was fired. The crack of the gun echoed across the sacred grounds, creating a mix of panic and alarm among the worshippers and security personnel. Bikram Singh Majithia, a prominent SAD leader, was also present, witnessing the shocking event unfold right before his eyes.

At the time of the attack, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal chief, was seated in a wheelchair, fulfilling a “religious punishment” pronounced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib just two days earlier, on 2nd December. Clad in a blue “sevadar” uniform and holding a spear, Badal was offering “seva” as an act of atonement. His presence at the Golden Temple was not only an act of humility but also a demonstration of his unwavering respect for the sanctity of the Sikh traditions, despite being bound to a wheelchair due to a fractured leg.

ADCP Harpal Singh, addressing the media, provided details of the incident and the immediate response from law enforcement. He emphasized that proper security arrangements were in place at the Golden Temple and confirmed that the attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, had been present at the holy site a day earlier. Singh revealed that before the attack, Chaura paid obeisance to the Guru, indicating that the act was planned and deliberate. Singh further assured that no one was injured in the shooting, thanks to the swift action of the security personnel.

Reacting to the life-threatening attempt, SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema expressed his gratitude to divine intervention and the heroic actions of the security team:
“First of all, I would like to thank Guru Nanak. Jako Rakhe Saaiyan, Maar Sake Na Koy. ‘Sevaks’ were offering ‘seva’ here. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as ‘Chowkidar’. Bullet was fired in his direction…I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his ‘sevak’…This is a huge incident, what era is Punjab being pushed into?…I would like to ask the CM of Punjab, where do you want to take Punjab?…The attacker was caught on the spot. I also thank the security personnel here. Had they not acted promptly…There should be a high-level judicial enquiry into the incident…We will continue with our ‘seva’…”

Providing further clarity, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar highlighted the commendable performance of the officers on duty. “Due to the alertness and deployment of our Police, this attack attempt was foiled. Our personnel Rishpal Singh, Jasbir and Parminder displayed alertness and foiled the attempts. Narayan Singh Chaura (attacker), who has a criminal record, has been arrested. Case has been registered. There were adequate arrangements for Sukhbir Singh Badal’s security…There were foolproof security arrangements…Deployment for a protectee is made as per threat perception…So, there was heavy deployment…There are several cases registered against him (Chaura), arms were recovered from him in the past, we will have to check records…”

Expressing his appreciation for the Punjab Police, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann acknowledged their swift action in thwarting what could have been a devastating incident. In a post on X, written in Punjabi, Mann remarked:
“Punjab Police prevented a major incident from happening today. It is the result of the promptness of the Punjab Police that the conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis has failed. The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot with their promptness. I appreciate the promptness of the police, I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal ji. I have issued strict instructions to the police to immediately investigate the incident and submit a report.”

The Congress MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, voiced his disapproval, stressing that the sanctity of the Darbar Sahib had been violated. He firmly stated:
“This is highly condemnable and wrong. This should not have happened because that is the premises of Darbar Sahib. Nobody has the right to take law into their hand. The incident happening there is absolutely wrong…”

The BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also denounced the attack, describing it as deeply troubling. He directed criticism towards the ruling party in Punjab, saying:
“The assassination attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal is worrying, disturbing and indeed shocking. The question is that when will Aam Aadmi Party wake up to the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab? How many more people have to put their life at risk for Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann ‘jodi’ to wake up to the slipping law & order situation of Punjab? Aam Aadmi Party promised Punjab to be turned into a hub of development. Instead, under AAP’s watch, Punjab has turned into a playground for extremists, criminals, and extortionists. Today, attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal, earlier – the killing of Sidhu Moosewala and before that killing of businessmen in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, killing of a Policeman, RPG attack on a Mohali Police Station. Have people forgotten the killing of two Kabaddi players? The point is, the AAP has completely surrendered to criminals. The question is, what is the nexus between AAP’s Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann Govt and with these extremists and criminals? Why has crime increased in Punjab since AAP has taken over? I think Bhagwant Mann should immediately resign from the post of CM because every Punjabi today is asking if Punjab is slipping into the dark times under Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann Govt.”

In a reflective tone, SAD leader Naresh Gujral linked the attack to extremist agendas. He raised concerns about foreign influence, particularly from Khalistani factions:
“Today’s attack is an attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab. Sukhbir Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal are moderate forces in Punjab – among both Sikhs and Punjabis. As per preliminary reports, the attacker has Khalistani connections. The so-called Khalistanis want to destabilise Punjab somehow. There can be a conspiracy by Pakistan as well. It is clear that foreign forces – sitting in Canada, America have a hand in this. We would want an inquiry by NIA and the people and forces involved in this should be revealed and they be interrogated. Only then will there be peace in Punjab…”

This incident has not only raised alarms about Punjab’s security situation but has also brought into focus larger issues of governance, extremism, and foreign interference. Calls for thorough investigations and immediate action have intensified as leaders demand accountability and solutions to restore confidence in the state’s administration.

Who is Narain Singh Chaura?

Narain Singh Chaura, the assailant involved in the recent attack at the Golden Temple, is a Khalistani terrorist with a long history of criminal activities and underground operations. Hailing from the Dera Baba Nanak area in Punjab, Chaura is no stranger to controversy, having built a notorious reputation within extremist circles over the years.

Chaura’s notoriety stems largely from his role as the mastermind behind the Burail jailbreak, a dramatic escape where he facilitated the breakout of Babbar Khalsa International terrorists—Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Jagtar Singh Tara, and Devi Singh. He achieved this by cutting off the prison’s electricity, allowing the inmates to flee without immediate detection. This incident cemented his position within militant ranks, showcasing his calculated and daring methods.

Despite his extensive involvement in terrorism, Chaura reemerged in recent years, attempting to reposition himself as a Panthic leader, a move that raises questions about his intentions and the support he commands in certain circles.

According to police records, Chaura’s ties to militancy date back to 1984, when he crossed over to Pakistan. During his time there, he played a significant role in smuggling large quantities of weapons and explosives into Punjab, fueling the early years of militancy in the state. His activities extended beyond logistics—Chaura authored a book on guerrilla warfare and other “seditious” literature, contributing ideologically to the Khalistani movement.

Upon his return to India in the mid-1990s, Chaura resumed his involvement in terrorist activities. Over the years, he has faced multiple cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), leading to several stints in jail. Even now, his criminal record remains extensive, with active cases registered against him in Amritsar, Ropar, and Tarn Taran. Most recently, Chaura was released on bail in 2022, raising concerns about his freedom and ongoing extremist activities.