"Main accused arrested today, action will be taken against anyone else who is found guilty": Punjab Minister after attack on Sukhbir Badal

Speaking to ANI, Cheema said, "I condemn this attack. I thank the Punjab Police for immediately apprehending the attacker and averting a major incident. The main accused has been arrested today. Action will be taken against anyone else found guilty after the investigation."

Earlier this morning, an assassination attempt was made on Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar. Badal was performing penance as part of the religious punishment, or 'tankaiah,' pronounced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib for the "mistakes" and "some decisions" taken by the SAD government in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.

While performing 'sewadar' duties at the entrance of the Golden Temple, with a placard around his neck as part of the 'tankaiah' punishment, a man opened fire at the SAD leader. However, the former Deputy Chief Minister was unharmed as the bullet hit the wall.

The attacker, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, was immediately apprehended by the police.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Wednesday criticised the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the attack, stating that the law and order situation in the state is spiralling out of control.

Addressing a press conference, Majithia questioned why Chaura had not been arrested earlier, particularly given the sensitive nature of the location. He also criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for lapses in police deployment, pointing out that the accused had conducted reconnaissance of the Harmandir Sahib premises on December 3.

"It has come to light that the accused, Narain Singh Chaura, conducted reconnaissance of Harmandir Sahib on December 3. Why was he not arrested earlier? What kind of police deployment is this? And you are praising the police? What shamelessness is this, Bhagwant Mann?" he said. (ANI)