Amritsar (National Times): A man armed with an iron rod attacked five individuals at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, on Friday. The assailant, whose identity remains unknown, caused significant injuries to the victims. Among the injured, a Sikh youth from Bathinda is reported to be in serious condition and is receiving treatment at the emergency wing of the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research at Vallah.
Two of the victims are sewadars (attendants) of the Golden Temple, while the other three are devotees from Mohali, Bathinda, and Patiala, according to police reports.
Authorities have arrested the main suspect, as well as an accomplice who had accompanied him to the temple. The attack occurred inside the Guru Ram Das inn, located near the community kitchen, around noon when a large number of Sikh devotees were present to observe the new Nanakshahi year at the Golden Temple, also known as Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Police officials mentioned that the second suspect allegedly conducted surveillance with the primary assailant prior to the attack.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), which oversees the Golden Temple, has condemned the assault, suggesting it may be part of a larger conspiracy. The SGPC stated that the attacker began assaulting devotees with the iron rod without any provocation.
SGPC Secretary Partap Singh has called for immediate and decisive action against the perpetrators and urged the police to publicly disclose their identities. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
All the injured were swiftly taken to the SGPC-operated Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment. The SGPC credited its quick response, including the use of CCTV cameras within the Sri Darbar Sahib complex, for the capture of the assailants, who were subsequently handed over to the police.
