A Shiv Sena leader was brutally attacked with swords by four Nihang assailants in broad daylight outside the Ludhiana civil hospital in Punjab on Friday. The victim, Sandeep Thapar, sustained serious injuries and was immediately rushed to a hospital. According to police reports, the attackers, identified as Nihangs, were waiting outside the hospital to ambush Thapar before fleeing the scene.
The incident took place as Thapar was leaving the Samvedna Trust office near the hospital, where he had attended a ceremony marking the fourth death anniversary of the Trust’s founder-president Ravinder Arora. Visuals shared online show the four Nihangs, recognizable by their blue robes and traditional weapons, approaching Thapar on the busy road. The bike-borne Shiv Sena leader can be seen engaging with the group, even holding up his hands in a prayer gesture. Despite this, the assailants continued the interaction before launching a violent attack, repeatedly striking Thapar on the head and shoulders with swords.
Despite the presence of Thapar’s security personnel, the attack occurred with alarming ease. The incident has triggered a sharp outcry in political circles, with Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal condemning the attack and expressing concern over the law and order situation in Punjab. She urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to address the situation with immediate corrective measures.
The attack on Thapar highlights a growing sense of insecurity in Punjab and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in the state. It remains to be seen what steps the authorities will take to address the incident and ensure the safety of citizens.
