People catch a man who allegedly opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal while the latter was performing the duty of 'sewadar' outside the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when a man opened fire at him while he was performing the duty of 'sewadar' outside the Golden Temple on Wednesday. The attacker was overpowered by some bystanders.
The audacious attack was captured on cameras of media people who had gathered outside the Sikh shrine to cover the second day of Badal's penance for "mistakes" committed by the SAD government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
The shooter has been identified as Narain Singh Chaura and is a resident of Dera Baba Nanak. He was seen slowly walking towards Badal, who was sitting in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg and pulling out a gun from his pocket.
Who is Narain Singh Chaura?
According to a report by the Times of India, sources have alleged that Narain is a Khalistani terrorist from Chaura village which is located at the International Border (IB) with Pakistan.
He is known for his involvement in militancy under Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Arrested in 2013
Narain was arrested on February 28, 2013, from Jalalabad village in Tarn Taran for being associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force, Akal Federation and Babbar Khalsa International.
Security personnel during his questioning also recovered weapons which were suspected to have been smuggled from Pakistan.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the attacker had earlier been booked under about 12 cases including the Explosives Act on May 8, 2010, in Amritsar.
Narain is also wanted in multiple cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ropar.
According to the publication's report, Narain had in 1984 crossed over to Pakistan and was involved in weapons and explosives smuggling into Punjab.
Released on bail
Narain was released on bail from the Amritsar central jail on August 5, 2018, after five years, in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Narain was at Golden temple a day before shooting (December 3)
ADCP Harpal Singh said that the attacker was at the Golden Temple yesterday too. He said that Narain today too, first paid obeisance to 'Guru' before firing the bullets, ANI reported.
Singh said, "There were proper security arrangements here...Sukhbir ji was properly covered (given cover) ...Narain Singh Chaura (assailant) was here yesterday as well...Today too, he first paid obeisance to the Guru..."
(With PTI inputs)