Security officer’s quick reflexes save Sukhbir Singh Badal from attack at Golden Temple

Dressed in a white kurta-pajama and a red turban, Jasbir Singh explained the challenges of his role in a holy site where everyone must be treated equally. “We can’t stop or frisk anyone at Darbar Sahib. Our security officer instructed us to remain alert, as it is a busy place,” he said.

Sukhbir Singh Badal’s security detail was caught off guard on Monday when a non-Sikh woman mistook him for a holy man and touched his feet. However, she was harmless and moved on.

Jasbir Singh was positioned to the right of Sukhbir Singh Badal and scanning the surroundings when the assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, approached from the right. The moment Chaura took out a pistol, Jasbir reacted instantly. He turned slightly, reached for Chaura’s weapon, and pushed him back, diverting the bullet away from Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The entire incident unfolded in four seconds. Additional personnel arrived in the fifth second and quickly overpowered Chaura.

Jasbir Singh holds the rank of assistant sub-inspector in the Punjab police. A resident of Amritsar, he serves as the personal security officer (PSO) for Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that Jasbir Singh has been part of the Badal family’s security detail for 22 years.

Jasbir Singh holds the rank of assistant sub-inspector in the Punjab police. (Express Photo)

Jasbir Singh saved Sukhbir Singh Badal while performing his religious duty to guard the entrance of Darbar Sahib. “We cannot frisk anyone at Darbar Sahib due to the code of conduct here. I was alert as part of my job when the attacker approached, and with the help of others, we subdued him, seized his pistol, and handed him over to the Amritsar police,” he said.

As Jasbir Singh moved towards the attacker, another PSO, Heera Singh, stepped forward to shield Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Despite the tense moment, Jasbir Singh did not take a break for the next two hours. He continued to protect Sukhbir while he was listening to kirtan and washing utensils at the community kitchen as part of the Akal Takht’s religious punishment.

“All the security personnel around Sukhbir today were from his personal security detail. Earlier he served Parkash Singh Badal. It is only today that he has been noticed, but being ready for such threats is part of his daily job,” said a member of Sukhbir Singh Badal’s personal staff.

Assistant Inspector-General Harmeek Singh Deol, in charge of Sukhbir Singh Badal’s security, said, “ASI Jasbir Singh overpowered the attacker, Narain Singh Chaura. The investigation is ongoing, and the district police are handling it. We will recommend Jasbir Singh’s name to the Government for an award recognising his bravery.”