What began as a routine VIP visit to Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji in Nanded turned into a high-stakes security emergency on Thursday afternoon. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal came under a sudden knife attack while exiting the shrine complex—only for a split-second intervention by a brave Maharashtra Police officer to avert a major tragedy.
At the center of the life-saving response was Police Inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre, an officer with the Maharashtra Police’s Special Protection Unit (SPU), who acted as a human shield between the assailant and the political leader.
A Hidden Weapon and a Split-Second Reaction
The incident took place around 1:45 PM as Badal was descending the stairs after paying respects at the shrine. The attacker—later identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, a resident of Pune who had been living at the gurdwara as a volunteer—approached disguised as a devotee with a kirpan (ceremonial dagger) concealed beneath his shawl.
Moving swiftly toward Badal, the assailant aimed a direct blow toward his stomach. Spotting the threat in a fraction of a second, Inspector Kendre lunged forward, thrusting himself between the attacker and the former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister.
Kendre physically tackled and overpowered the attacker before he could inflict deeper harm. While Badal sustained a slash wound to his right hand, Inspector Kendre also suffered severe cut injuries to his hands and fingers while wrestling the sharp weapon away.
From Constable in 2001 to SPU Inspector
Inspector Kendre’s bravery stems from over two decades of dedicated service. Joining the Maharashtra Police in 2001 as a police constable, Kendre worked his way up through the ranks to become an Inspector, eventually earning a spot in the elite Special Protection Unit tasked with safeguarding high-profile dignitaries.
Despite sustaining painful injuries that required medical care at Yashosai Hospital in Nanded, Kendre remained humble about his heroic intervention.
“It’s part of our training. I had a fraction of a second to react. I did my duty,” Inspector Kendre said when asked about the dangerous confrontation.
Gratitude from the Badal Family
The swift actions of the Maharashtra security detail received widespread praise from law enforcement officials and political leaders alike.
SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal visited Inspector Kendre at the hospital to express her family’s deepest gratitude, praising him for placing his life on the line.
“You stood like a human shield between Sukhbir ji and the attacker, putting your own life at risk to protect his. In doing so, you reminded us of what it truly means to wear the uniform—to put duty before self and courage before fear. The Badal family bows to you with deepest gratitude,” Harsimrat Kaur Badal posted on social media.
Investigation Underway
Following the attack, local authorities along with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) detained the suspect, Jaspal Singh. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder.
While Badal was discharged from the hospital on Friday and returned to Punjab, the split-second courage demonstrated by Inspector Santosh Kendre continues to be hailed across the nation as a masterclass in police duty and valor.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
