"Attacker struck devotees, Golden Temple worker with iron rod": SGPC official

Amritsar (Punjab) [India], March 15 (ANI): Five people were injured in an attack inside the Golden Temple premises on Friday, with a Golden Temple attendant and a devotee in critical condition, according to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) (Sarai) manager, Gurpreet Singh.
Speaking to ANI about the incident, Gurpreet Singh said, "Lakhs of devotees visit the Golden Temple daily. Today, an assailant attacked one of our employees and four pilgrims with an iron rod at Guru Ramdas Sarai. Those injured were admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital, run by the SGPC. Three devotees who had come for private darshan have been discharged."
However, two patients in serious condition were shifted to Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College & Hospital, Vallah, with SGPC covering their medical expenses.
"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," he added.
According to Gurpreet Singh, an SGPC employee tried to restrain the assailant but was struck on the wrist, resulting in a fracture.
"A devotee from Bathinda saw the attack and tried to stop the assailant but was hit in the stomach with the iron rod. His condition is also serious," he said.
The attack took place at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai, a lodging facility for pilgrims near the Golden Temple. The attacker was identified as Zulfan, a resident of Haryana's Yamuna Nagar.
"Zulfan climbed onto the second floor of Guru Ram Das Sarai complex with an iron rod. When worker Jasbir Singh tried to stop him, he attacked him. He then attacked devotees and other workers who intervened. The assailant was overpowered and handed over to the police. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway," ACP Jaspal Singh said.
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.
Medical Officer Dr Sahil Kundra said that five patients were admitted to the hospital, with two of them in critical condition. "One of the critical patients is on a ventilator. Three patients were discharged after receiving first aid," he said. (ANI)