3 Nihangs attack Shiv Sena leader with swords in Ludhiana, 2 arrested

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, July 5

In a broad daylight assault, Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, alias Gora Thapar, was seriously injured when he was attacked by three Nihangs with swords near the Civil Hospital here on Friday. The police have arrested two suspects.

Thapar, 48, was targeted when he was going back after attending a memorial function of BJP leader Ravinder Arora at Samvedna Trust, located in the Civil Hospital.

Addressing the media on Friday night, Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said two of the attackers were arrested near Guru Granth Sahib University, Fatehgarh Sahib, after a joint operation was conducted with the Khanna and Fatehgarh Sahib police. Thapar’s scooter had been recovered from them. The arrested suspects are Sarabjit Singh Sabha (34) of Tibba road and Harjot Singh Jota (35) of Bhamian, Ludhiana. Third accused Tehal Singh of Amritsar is absconding.

Chahal said, “The accused claimed they were associated with the Baba Buddha Dal. The motive behind the attack is not clear yet.” After the attack, Thapar was admitted to the DMC Hospital.

CCTV footage from the area showed that three Nihangs waylaid Thapar, who was riding a scooter with his gunman. They confronted Thapar and hit him repeatedly on the head with the sword. Meanwhile, the police have ordered an inquiry against Thapar’s gunman.