Amritsar, March 14, 2025: At least five people were injured in a violent altercation inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar on Friday.
According to Indian media reports, doctors confirmed that one of the victims is in serious condition and has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Guru Ramdas Hospital.
The assailant, identified as Zulfan, allegedly attacked people with iron pipes inside Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai, a lodging facility for pilgrims. Security personnel and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) overpowered him and later handed him over to the police.
Kotwali Station House Officer Sarmel Singh confirmed the incident, stating:
“The SGPC has handed over a person named Zulfan to the police. There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, resulting in injuries on both sides, including SGPC workers. Legal action will be taken accordingly.”
Dr Jasmeet Singh, a senior doctor at Guru Ramdas Hospital, shared details of the victims’ injuries:
“Five patients were brought to us. One is in serious condition and has been admitted to the ICU, requiring stitches. A CT scan will be conducted once his condition stabilizes. The other four are in stable condition.”
The attack raises concerns over security at the Golden Temple, a site of great religious significance for Sikhs and one of the most visited religious shrines in India.
This incident follows a high-profile assassination attempt last December on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was performing sewa (voluntary service) at the Golden Temple. The attacker in that case, Narain Singh Chaura, was linked to terror-related cases and had been named the mastermind behind the 2004 Burail jailbreak in Chandigarh.
Authorities are investigating the motive behind the latest attack and are expected to increase security measures at the historic site.