Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar was viciously attacked by unidentified assailants wielding knives on Friday afternoon outside Ludhiana government hospital. Sandeep Thapar, critically injured in the assault, was attending the fourth anniversary event of Ravindra Arora, founder of The Samvedna Trust (NGO) near the hospital premises.
According to officials, after the event concluded, Sandeep Thapar, accompanied by his security detail, was leaving on a scooter when an unidentified Nihang Sikh confronted him, leading to an altercation. Despite Sandeep Thapar pleading for release, he was struck on the head with a knife. Subsequently, he lost control of the scooter and fell, where another attacker continued the assault. Shockingly, neither bystanders nor Sandeep Thapar’s gunmen intervened to stop the assailants, who fled the scene on Sandeep Thapar’s scooter.
Following the attack, Sandeep Thapar was rushed to Dayanand Medical College Hospital for treatment of severe injuries. Police have registered a case of attempted murder against the attackers and initiated a search operation. Sources indicate that the assault may have stemmed from Sandeep Thapar’s controversial remarks about Sikhs, provoking the Nihang attackers. Shiv Sena activists protested at the hospital against the Punjab government and police, expressing concern over recent reductions in Sandeep Thapar’s security detail.