The recent attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has once again brought the specter of Khalistani extremism into the spotlight, sending shockwaves through Punjab and raising fears of the violence that once gripped the state making a possible resurgence. The chilling details of the attack, carried out by Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura, evoke haunting parallels to the deadly period of the 1980s and early 1990s, when targeted killings and acts of terror were an unfortunate reality in Punjab’s socio-political landscape.

The attack on Sukhbir Badal occurred on the morning of December 3, 2024, when Chaura, pretending to be a devotee, approached the SAD leader under the guise of offering obeisance at the Golden Temple. Concealed within his jacket, the assailant had a pistol, which he intended to use at point-blank range. The attempt to assassinate Sukhbir was thwarted only because of the swift intervention of Punjab Police cop, who heroically prevented the assailant from firing by pushing the gun upward. The quick action of the police officer prevented a tragedy, saving Sukhbir’s life. But the very nature of the attack, executed in a manner so reminiscent of the dark days of the Khalistani movement, has sparked an outcry across the state.

What makes the attack particularly unsettling is that it took place near the same spot where, 41 years ago, Punjab Police DIG, Jalandhar Range, AS Atwal was assassinated in a similar fashion.

On the dreadful day of April 25 in 1983, 40-year-old DIG Atwal was shot dead at point-blank range outside the Golden Temple complex. The assassination was a clear message from Khalistani extremists aimed at undermining the authority of the State. The chilling image of DIG Atwal’s body, lying unattended for hours at the temple entrance as the local shopkeepers dared not approach, continues to haunt the collective memory of the people of Punjab.

Resurfacing Ghosts of Khalistani Violence

The attack on Sukhbir Badal, which employed the same tactics used by Khalistani militants in the past, highlighted a disturbing trend — the return of the terror tactics that once led to the violent insurgency in Punjab. These methods, involving point-blank shootings and attacks under the guise of devotion or anonymity, have resurfaced in multiple high-profile assassinations over the years.

The most notable of these assassinations, a direct result of Khalistani violence, was that of Harchand Singh Longowal — a prominent Akali leader, who was gunned down on August 20, 1985, in a shooting that took place just a month after he had signed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. The agreement, which was meant to bring an end to the violent insurgency in Punjab, was not welcomed by all. Longowal’s assassination was seen as an act of retaliation by hardline Khalistani militants who viewed the accord as a betrayal of their cause. His death marked a turning point in Punjab’s history, with the violence continuing to spiral out of control for years to come.

Another high-profile figure targeted by Khalistani extremists was Punjab’s then-Chief Minister Beant Singh. On August 31, 1995, Beant Singh, known for his firm stance against terrorism, was killed in a bomb explosion orchestrated by Khalistani militants. A bomb was strapped to the body of a police officer, Dilawar Singh, who detonated it in close proximity to Beant Singh’s car at Punjab Civil Secretariat. The explosion killed the Chief Minister and 17 others — marking one of the most horrific acts of terrorism in Punjab’s modern history.

While the Khalistani insurgency may have officially ended in the 1990s, the shadows of its violence have never truly disappeared. In more recent years, the State has witnessed a resurgence of such attacks. In 2016, RSS prominent leader in Punjab Jagdish Gagneja was shot dead in Jalandhar by assailants on motorcycles — a chilling echo of the tactics used by militants in the 1980s.

Gagneja’s activism in spreading the RSS’s ideology in Punjab made him a target of militants, who believed his work threatened their goals.

A Perilous Pattern: Targeted Killings Across Decades

The recent attack on Sukhbir Badal is part of a larger, more sinister pattern of targeted killings that has unfolded over the decades. In 2016, the assassination of 88-year-old Mata Chand Kaur in Ludhiana served as another painful reminder of the ongoing threat. Mata Chand Kaur, a prominent figure in the Namdhari sect, was murdered by gunmen who had positioned themselves on a deserted road. They approached her vehicle under the pretext of seeking blessings, only to open fire at point-blank range. Such attacks, designed to strike in the most unexpected and vulnerable moments, are reminiscent of the Khalistani violence that once plagued the state.

Similarly, in November 2022, Hindu leader Sudhir Suri was assassinated in Amritsar while protesting outside a temple. The assailant, who was influenced by Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh — now a detainee under stringent National Security Act (NSA) and Lok Sabha MP from Khadoor Sahib, executed the killing at point-blank range in front of numerous witnesses. Suri's assassination, which took place in broad daylight, raised serious questions about the continuing presence of Khalistani extremists in the region.

Sukhbir Badal: A Symbolic Target

The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal holds significant symbolism. Sukhbir, as the leader of the Akali Dal and the son of the Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badal, is seen as a key figure in shaping Punjab’s post-terrorism landscape. His leadership represented a break from the violence of the past and a commitment to bringing peace and stability to the state. As a result, he has become a prime target for those who seek to destabilize Punjab and revive the separatist movement.

Sukhbir Badal’s family has long been associated with the struggle against the forces of extremism. His father, Parkash Singh Badal, served as Chief Minister of Punjab for five terms and played a crucial role in restoring peace to the state following the Khalistani insurgency. The attack on Sukhbir is not just an attack on an individual, but an assault on the legacy of the Badal family and their efforts to bring about reconciliation and progress in Punjab.

A State at Crossroads

The resurgence of Khalistani violence, as seen in the recent attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, has once again brought Punjab to a critical juncture. The state, which has long been hailed as a symbol of resilience and recovery, now faces the challenge of dealing with the lingering ghosts of its violent past. The lessons of history must not be forgotten, and the people of Punjab must unite against the forces that seek to divide them.

The response of the State Government, law enforcement, and civil society will be crucial in ensuring that the peace and stability, that Punjab has fought so hard to achieve, are not undone by the actions of a few radicalized individuals. The recent attack on Sukhbir, though thwarted, is a grim reminder that the battle against extremism is far from over. However, the people of Punjab, buoyed by their collective resolve, can overcome these challenges and ensure that the state’s hard-won peace remains intact.

In these testing times, Punjab must stand united to safeguard its future and uphold the values of peace, harmony, and unity.

High-Profile Khalistan-Related Attacks in Punjab