Ambala Clash, August 13, 2026: Tension escalated in Ambala on Thursday as protesters blocked the Ambala-Chandigarh Highway, demanding the release of two people arrested in connection with an alleged attack on Sikh leader Gursimran Singh Mand. The road blockade continued for around seven hours before police action cleared the highway.
According to the report, the dispute relates to an incident on August 7 at the historic Gurdwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib, where Gursimran Singh Mand, described as a Sikh leader opposed to Khalistan, was allegedly assaulted. Following the arrests of some people in the case, members of the Sikh community objected to what they described as one-sided police action.
Protesters Block GT Road
The protesters gathered after a meeting at Gurdwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib and later moved towards the GT Road. They broke through police barricades placed to stop the crowd. Police used tear gas shells at several points as clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel.
The highway was eventually blocked with containers and tractors, disrupting traffic between Haryana and neighbouring states. Vehicles travelling towards Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir were stuck in long queues. School buses, ambulances and other emergency vehicles also faced difficulties because of the blockade.
Protesters Put Forward Two Demands
The protesters reportedly made two main demands:
- Registration of an FIR against Gursimran Singh Mand.
- Release of the two people arrested for allegedly attacking Mand.
They said the highway would not be opened until their demands were addressed. Police officials, including Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat and IG Pankaj Nain, reached the spot and attempted to negotiate with the protesters.
Police Officer Seriously Injured
The situation became more serious when police teams moved to clear the blockade. Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat said that some elements in the crowd allegedly launched a sudden attack on police personnel using sharp-edged weapons.
DSP Crime Virender was seriously injured during the incident, with his hand reportedly severely cut. The report said six police personnel were seriously injured in the confrontation.
Police had earlier fired several tear gas shells after protesters broke through multiple barricades. According to the report, clashes occurred at three different barricading points as the crowd continued towards the highway.
HSGMC Chief Also Injured
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda was also injured during a confrontation near the barricading outside an NCC school. A section of the barricade struck his elbow, causing an injury.
After the protesters reached the GT Road, traffic movement came to a standstill in both directions. With vehicles unable to move, several people were forced to walk for kilometres to reach their destinations.
The highway blockade was eventually cleared after police action, ending the prolonged disruption. The incident has raised concerns over the escalating dispute surrounding the August 7 assault case and the demands being raised by the protesting Sikh community.
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