Who Is Narain Chaura, The Man Who Opened Fire At Sukhbir Singh Badal?

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. Badal, seated in a wheelchair while performing his duties as a sewadar (volunteer), was shot at by a man identified as Narain Singh Chaura. The bullet missed Badal and struck a wall.

The assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, was quickly subdued by bystanders.

Who Is Narain Singh Chaura?

Narain Singh Chaura is a known Khalistani militant with a long history of criminal activities linked to separatist movements. Allegedly associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force and the Akal Federation, Chaura has been involved in various cases under anti-terrorism laws, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

Arrests and Imprisonment:

• Arrested in February 2013 from Tarn Taran, along with two accomplices, Chaura faced multiple charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act.
• In 2018, he was granted bail after spending five years in Amritsar Central Jail.

Militant Activities:

• Accused of smuggling weapons and explosives into Punjab during the early years of militancy, Chaura reportedly crossed into Pakistan in 1984.
• While in Pakistan, he allegedly authored a book on guerrilla warfare and other seditious materials.
• He was also implicated in the infamous Burail jailbreak case.

A Troubled History

Chaura's criminal record includes over a dozen cases, many of which relate to terrorism and the promotion of secessionist ideologies. His release on bail and continued presence in Punjab have raised questions about security and monitoring.

The incident outside the Golden Temple has heightened security concerns in the region. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and the broader implications of Chaura's re-emergence. Fortunately, Sukhbir Singh Badal emerged unscathed, but the attempt has sent shockwaves across the state.