Accused Nihang Singh Jaspal Singh(L); Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh BadalCHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan while visiting Mata Sahib Gurdwara at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded on Thursday. A police inspector sustained injuries while protecting him.

Badal, who was accompanied by his wife and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, as well as security personnel from Punjab and Maharashtra Police, suffered an injury to his hand in the incident. He was immediately taken to Yasho Sai Hospital in Nanded for treatment and is reported to be out of danger.

Security personnel overpower attackerThe attack took place while Badal was on a religious visit to the gurdwara. The SPU is a special Maharashtra Police unit deployed in each district for the security and protection of VVIPs during their movement.

Fadnavis orders probe, speaks to BadalChief minister Devendra Fadnavis sought information from the Nanded Superintendent of Police regarding the attack. Fadnavis also spoke to Badal over the phone and enquired about his health.

Badal is now in stable condition. Attacker identifiedPolice identified the attacker as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, son of Teja Singh and a resident of Solapur Bazaar in Pune.

He has reportedly been residing at Mata Sahib Gurdwara for the past two years. Police have launched an investigation into the attack and are probing the motive and circumstances leading to it.

Security was stepped up in and around the gurdwara following the incident.