Ludhiana: Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar brutally attacked with swords by Nihangs

In a startling incident, Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, a descendant of martyr Sukhdev Thapar, was attacked with swords by a group of Nihangs outside Ludhiana Civil Hospital on Friday. The assault took place despite Thapar being under police protection, right in front of his gunman.

According to Rajiv Tandon, President of Shiv Sena Punjab, Thapar had gone to the civil hospital to attend a memorial function for BJP leader Ravinder Arora. Upon exiting the hospital premises with his security detail, they were intercepted by a group of Nihangs. Tandon stated, “The accused assaulted Sandeep Thapar with swords in front of his gunman who did nothing to save him.”

Following the attack, the perpetrators managed to flee the scene. Thapar was immediately rushed to CMC hospital, and later referred to DMC hospital for further medical attention.


In response to the incident, Shiv Sena leaders protested both at the civil hospital and subsequently at DMC hospital, expressing dissatisfaction with the police administration's handling of the situation.

Meanwhile, former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Vasant More, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Pune under the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi banner, joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday. He was welcomed by party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

Earlier in the day, Raut had announced More's move to Shiv Sena (UBT) after he left the MNS just before the elections. More secured 32,012 votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Pune, failing to retain his deposit. The seat was won by BJP's Murlidhar Mohol, who later became a Union minister.

More's decision to join Shiv Sena (UBT) is expected to strengthen the party's position in Pune, Maharashtra's second largest city.