Patiala, Punjab: ASI Harjeet Singh, a Punjab Police Officer, had his hand chopped off with a sword while he was on duty when armed Nihang Sikhs, who were breaking the lockdown rules of the country, attacked a bunch of police officers at a checkpoint.

The hand of the police officer was completely chopped off and 6 other police officers were injured in the incident.

According to reports, a group of Nihang Sikhs, who were armed with traditional weapons, were traveling in a vehicle when they were asked to stop at a vehicle market, and when the police asked them to stop, they ran over the blockages.

SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) Mandeep Singh Sidhu, said, “They were asked to show (curfew) passes. But they crashed the vehicle against the gate and barricades put up there.”

SSP Sidhu added, “An ASI’s (Assistant Sub Inspector) hand was chopped off by a sword. A Station House Officer of Sadar Patiala sustained an injury on his elbow and another official suffered an injury on his arm in the attack.”

ASI Singh was rushed to the Rajindra Hospital, where he was referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh.

Singh went through a 7-hour surgery so his hand could be re-attached.

I am happy to share that a 7 1/2 hour long surgery has been successfully completed in PGI to repair the severed wrist of ASI Harjeet Singh. I thank the entire team of doctors and support staff for their painstaking effort. Wishing ASI Harjeet Singh a speedy recovery.

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 12, 2020

The armed Sikhs fled the scene after the attack.

However, they were arrested later.

The Punjab Police announced that over more than 7 Nihang Sikhs have been detained by Patiala Police in connection with the attack.

The police have also recovered sharp objects, automatic weapons, and petrol bombs along with Rs 35 lakh in cash from the Gurudwara in Balbera village.

The Sikhs took shelter at the Gurudwara on Sunday Morning, said IG (Patiala) Jatinder Singh Aulakh.