Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale escapes murderous attack

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 17

Sikh preacher Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale was attacked by unidentified persons late in the evening near Barewal village. Bhupinder Singh Khasi Kalan, who was travelling with him in a  Land Cruiser, was shot dead.

Dhadrianwale’s cavalcade was on its way to Isewal village when it was attacked.  Eyewitnesses said 15 assailants, most of them baptised Sikhs, had erected a tent for “chhabeel” on Canal Road.

Read also: Religious preacher Dhadrianwale demands inquiry into attack on him

They stopped the cavalcade at 7.45 pm. They offered juice to the driver and asked him where “Babaji” was. One of them shot Bhupinder Singh in the neck as others started breaking car windows. Dhadrianwale said he ducked for cover as his driver speeded away. 

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Police officials said the attackers fired 50 shots. Dhadrianwale’s SUV was badly damaged. “The tyres of our vehicles burst, we alighted and run toward the fields where some labourers gave us shelter,” said Dhadrianwale. He denied he had blamed any group for the attack. “I don’t know who the attackers were. The police must  trace them.” Dhadrianwale had participated in protests against the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.