On Friday morning, Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar was attacked with swords by two men dressed as Nihang Sikhs in Ludhiana. Thapar is currently in critical condition at the district hospital.
According to reports, the attack occurred while Thapar was stuck in traffic on his two-wheeler, accompanied by his bodyguard. In a purported video of the incident, two men dressed as Nihang Sikhs can be seen approaching Thapar. Another person in the video appears to instruct the policeman not to intervene. The assailants then attacked Thapar, who pleaded for mercy with folded hands.
Very shocking video coming from Punjab : Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar is brutally attacked by Nihangs. He’s fighting for life in hospital.
It seem there was a police officer with him but didn’t even try to help him. pic.twitter.com/z3rpqwwQAD
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) July 5, 2024
Thapar had attended the death anniversary ceremony of Ravinder Arora, president of Samvedna Trust, which runs the Civil Hospital. After paying his respects, Thapar and his gunman were attacked by the sword-wielding men in the presence of his gunman. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the assault.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident.