Amritsar: Five people were injured in an attack inside the Golden Temple premises on Friday, with two victims, including a Golden Temple attendant, reported to be in critical condition. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) confirmed the incident, with Gurpreet Singh, the manager of Guru Ramdas Sarai, providing details of the attack.

According to Gurpreet Singh, the assailant struck the victims with an iron rod inside the Guru Ramdas Sarai, a lodging facility for pilgrims near the Golden Temple. The attack injured a Golden Temple employee and four devotees, two of whom were in critical condition. The victims were initially treated at the SGPC-run Guru Ramdas Hospital, with three of the injured devotees discharged after receiving first aid.

"Two of the patients have been shifted to the Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College & Hospital, Vallah. SGPC will pay their expenses. One of the sewadars of the Golden Temple attendants has sustained severe head injuries. Doctors say his skull bones are fractured, and his brain has swollen. His condition remains critical for the next 24 hours," Singh added. 

The attack took place when Zulfan, a resident of Haryana's Yamuna Nagar, entered the second floor of the Guru Ram Das Sarai complex with an iron rod. Gurpreet Singh mentioned that SGPC employees and pilgrims tried to intervene. One SGPC worker, Jasbir Singh, attempted to restrain the attacker but was struck on the wrist, resulting in a fracture. Another devotee from Bathinda was also hit in the stomach and is in serious condition.

The assailant was overpowered by onlookers and handed over to the police. The police have registered a case, and ongoing investigations confirmed ACP Jaspal Singh. 

Earlier, Kotwali SHO Sarmel Singh said that SGPC handed over the suspect to the police.

"There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, resulting in injuries on both sides. SGPC workers were also injured. Action will be taken as per the law," he stated.

All injured victims were initially admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar, which the SGPC runs.

Dr. Sahil Kundra, the Medical Officer at Guru Ramdas Hospital, confirmed that five patients were sent to us, out of which one is serious and is in the ICU. The other four are in stable condition..."

ANI inputs