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The attempted assassination of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising serious questions about security lapses and sparking a fierce political debate. The incident, which saw Narain Chaura, an alleged Babbar Khalsa International member, fire a 9mm semi-automatic pistol inches from Badal, narrowly avoided a catastrophic outcome. While Badal's security detail swiftly apprehended Chaura, the incident highlights alarming vulnerabilities in the security arrangements surrounding such a high-profile individual and a sacred site visited by thousands of devotees daily. The fact that Chaura, a known associate of the Jagtar Singh Hawara group and with links to Pakistan, managed to penetrate the security perimeter with a weapon not readily available in India, demands a thorough investigation into the procurement and smuggling routes of the firearm. The ease with which he carried out the act raises profound questions about the effectiveness of existing security protocols at the Golden Temple and the potential for future attacks.
The aftermath of the incident has been characterized by a clash between political narratives and security concerns. While Amritsar Police lauded the swift response of their officers, claiming plainclothes officers were present and that the actions of Jasbir Singh, a security officer for the Badal family, prevented a tragedy, the opposition has been highly critical. Bikram Singh Majithia, Badal's brother-in-law, disputed the official narrative, asserting that Jasbir Singh was acting as personal security, highlighting the potential conflict of interest and inadequacy of state-provided security. The subsequent allegations from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) about a potential conspiracy to garner sympathy for the Badals, while initially dismissed, were later acknowledged by the Amritsar Commissioner of Police, sparking outrage from both the BJP and SAD. This political maneuvering has somewhat overshadowed the pressing security implications of the incident.
The security concerns extend beyond the immediate incident. The alarming increase in drone-dropped arms and ammunition from Pakistan into Punjab, as highlighted by BSF data, showcasing a significant increase in incidents from 2022 to 2024, underlines the escalating threat landscape. Chaura's history, including his alleged training in Pakistan in the 1980s, further points to the involvement of external actors and raises the ominous possibility of an ISI-backed plan to destabilize Punjab. The lack of frisking at the Golden Temple's entry point, cited due to religious sensitivities, and the apparent intelligence failure – as evidenced by Chaura's presence inside the temple for two days prior to the attack, including alleged meetings with police officials, and CCTV footage showing his presence a day before the event – necessitate a critical review of security protocols. The question of whether more could have been done to secure both Badal and the numerous devotees remains unanswered, leaving a lingering sense of vulnerability.
The incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive security overhaul at the Golden Temple. While respecting religious sentiments, a balance must be struck between maintaining the sanctity of the site and ensuring the safety and security of visitors and high-profile individuals. The investigation needs to go beyond determining Chaura’s actions and should explore the full extent of the conspiracy, encompassing the sources of his weapon, potential logistical support from other Babbar Khalsa International members, and the wider implications for the security of the Golden Temple and the state of Punjab. This includes a thorough review of intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms, training procedures for security personnel, and border security measures to combat the rising threat of drone smuggling. The failure to ask and answer these critical questions risks leaving the Golden Temple, a site of immense religious significance, and the state of Punjab vulnerable to future attacks.
Source: Politics Aside, Attack On Sukhbir Singh Badal Sparks Many Security Questions