India, Aug. 14 -- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former deputy chief minister of Punjab, was attacked with a kirpan (a curved, single-edged dagger worn by Sikhs) inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded district on Thursday afternoon.

The attack happened at about 1.45 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, where Badal was visiting, accompanied by his wife, Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Kaur to ask about Badal's health.

Maharashtra Police said a man in traditional nihang attire approached Badal and tried to strike him with the ceremonial dagger, which members of the Sikh martial order commonly wear. Superintendent of Police (SP) Nanded district, Neelabh Roh...