Ambala: On the eve of Independence Day, a protest over police action against anti-Khalistan activist Gursimran Singh Mand erupted into a violent confrontation in Ambala, with protesters allegedly armed with swords, spears, axes and other sharp-edged weapons clashing with police and forcing authorities to deploy tear gas and lathicharge.
The violence broke out near Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib after Sikh organisations gathered to demand action against Mand, who heads the International Anti-Khalistan Terrorist Front. The protesters were demanding that a case be registered against Mand over an August 7 confrontation near the gurdwara and that two persons arrested in connection with the subsequent assault on Mand be released.
What began as a gathering at the religious site escalated into a major law-and-order situation when protesters moved towards the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway and allegedly broke through police barricades. Traffic on major routes remained disrupted for more than six hours as authorities struggled to clear the blockade.
The confrontation took a serious turn when police personnel were attacked.
Ambala Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat said DSP Virender Sharma suffered serious injuries to his hand after allegedly being attacked with a sharp-edged weapon. Several other policemen were also injured.
Among those injured were DSP Virender Sharma, Constables Rakshit and Naveen Kumar, Head Constable Sandeep Kumar and Assistant Sub-Inspectors Satish and Pankaj. Police said several other personnel sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
ON EVE OF INDIA'S I-DAY LOOK HOW BOLD KHALISTANI SYMPATHISERS HAVE BECOME?
Police are clashing with sword weilding mobs who want an ANTI-KHALISTAN ACTIVIST arrested for standing up for Bharat!!!
Police forced to disperse protesters near Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib after a… pic.twitter.com/7eU0m5lhFp
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 14, 2026
The SP described the attack on the DSP and other personnel as a “murderous attack” and said an FIR would be registered after those responsible were identified.
According to police, some elements in the crowd were carrying spears, swords, axes and other sharp-edged weapons. Authorities said the situation became particularly volatile after darkness fell, with protesters allegedly attacking police personnel and preventing them from clearing the highway.
Police also alleged that protesters snatched the keys of trucks caught in the blockade. In one particularly serious incident, the keys of a gas tanker were allegedly taken from its driver, preventing authorities from moving the vehicle out of the congested area.
Police said officers repeatedly appealed to protesters to allow the tanker to be shifted because of the potential risk of an accident. The keys were allegedly taken away before the individuals involved fled the spot.
From protest to violent confrontation
The immediate trigger for August 13’s protest was the August 7 confrontation involving Mand near Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib.
Mand, who is under Central paramilitary security, was allegedly confronted by a crowd while travelling near the gurdwara. His vehicle was damaged and he was reportedly rescued by his security personnel and police. Two security personnel were also injured during the confrontation.
Mand subsequently alleged that he and his son were attacked with sticks, swords and other sharp-edged weapons.
The Sikh organisations involved in protest, however, have disputed Mand’s version of events. They have alleged that his vehicle attempted to pass through a route crowded with devotees and that people were injured in the incident.
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda accused Mand of violating the shrine’s protocol by driving through a lane meant for pedestrians. He alleged that a man, Surinder Singh, remained trapped beneath Mand’s vehicle for several minutes.
Police had earlier confirmed that the injured youth was admitted to a private hospital with two fractures. The competing allegations have now become the centre of a larger confrontation over what both sides claim is unequal police action.
Police say FIR demand was accepted
Police officials said an FIR had already been registered against Mand under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Two individuals accused in connection with the attack on Mand were also arrested and subsequently sent to judicial custody. However, protesters continued to demand their release and insisted that action be taken against Mand as well.
According to police, several rounds of discussions were held with the protesters to persuade them to clear the highway. The negotiations failed.
The crowd subsequently breached one layer of barricading on NH-344 before being stopped at another. When protesters allegedly attempted to push through again, police fired tear-gas shells.
Another group reportedly moved towards the Ambala-Amritsar Highway and staged a dharna, leaving trucks and other vehicles stranded. DGP Ajay Singhal said police resorted to lathicharge after stones were allegedly pelted from the crowd. He said three to four policemen suffered head injuries.
Highway held hostage
The blockade created chaos for commuters across Ambala, with vehicles stranded and traffic diverted or halted on several major routes. he disruption also affected a nearby school. With the confrontation coinciding with the end of the school day, children were reportedly kept inside the premises while parents waited outside amid heavy traffic and a heightened police presence.
Mand has emerged as a vocal opponent of the Khalistan movement and heads the International Anti-Khalistan Terrorist Front. His presence near the gurdwara had already become a source of tension following the August 7 confrontation.
DGP Singhal visited the Military and Civil hospitals to meet injured police personnel. Senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kanika Goyal, also visited the hospitals.
The immediate priority is restoring normal traffic and identifying those accused of attacking police personnel.
