A violent attack took place inside Amritsar’s Golden Temple on Friday as five individuals suffered injuries. The attacker identified as Zulfan from Haryana carried an iron rod to hit devotees and sewadars near the Guru Ram Das Niwas facility at the Holy Shrine. The perpetrator faced immediate arrest by the police when the assault took place during midday.
Hospital staff took two Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sewadars and three devotees who were from Mohali, Bathinda, and Patiala to medical care after the attack. The Bathinda resident among the injured sustained critical head injuries that led him to remain at serious risk within the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research. Doctors state that the four other patients survived their injuries without life-threatening complications.
Incident Created Tense Atmosphere Among the Devotees
The incident occurred at the Guru Ram Das langar location, leading to panic among the devotees who attended the community kitchen. The authorities discovered that the attacker completed prior site observations before performing the attack. The authorities claim the second co-conspirator organized an experimental visit to the temple as part of their preparation for the attack.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee at Golden Temple condemned the assault and described it as part of an organised plot. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh demanded that authorities take immediate and powerful action against the attackers and reveal their identities to society.
Police Investigation Underway
The police are currently investigating the motive behind the attack, but the reasons remain unclear. However, the attack has raised serious concerns about the security of the Golden Temple, which is a major religious and cultural site for Sikhs. In December of the previous year, the temple was also the site of an assassination attempt on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The SGPC has pledged to continue offering medical assistance to the victims and has called for a thorough investigation. The Sikh community has expressed outrage over the incident and is demanding that justice be served swiftly.
