Uttarakhand Gurdwara Standoff: Armed Nihangs Take Sikh Devotee Hostage, Demand Release of Arrested Sect Members (Watch Videos)

A tense standoff unfolded at a gurdwara in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district after a group of armed Nihangs allegedly took control of the shrine and held a Sikh devotee hostage while demanding the release of four members of the sect arrested following a clash in Chamoli earlier this month.

According to police, six Nihangs armed with spears, swords, axes and kirpans entered the gurdwara at Nagrasu on Saturday evening and moved to the roof after allegedly vandalising parts of the premises. The group reportedly took an elderly Sikh devotee hostage and began raising slogans from the rooftop.

A heavy police force has been deployed around the gurdwara, while senior officials, including the Rudraprayag District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and Garhwal Commissioner, have reached the spot to resolve the crisis. Authorities are attempting to persuade the Nihangs to surrender peacefully. Jalandhar Horror: Group of Nihangs Attack Shopkeeper With Swords, Snatch His Gold Chain Over Delay in Chaap Order in Punjab, Probe Ordered As CCTV Video Goes Viral.

Nihang Group Breaks Into Uttarakhand Gurdwara, Holds Sikh Devotee Hostage

Nagrasu Gurudwara Standoff: DM, SP Talks Fail, Internet Shut, ITBP Deployed

Seven Nihang Sikhs have locked themselves inside Gurudwara Langar Dham Saheb in Nagrasu, Rudraprayag. Two rounds of talks with DM Vishal Mishra and SP Niharika Tomar have failed. They are not coming out.… pic.twitter.com/iX4cXfWH4E

— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) June 21, 2026

#WATCH | Rudraprayag, Uttarkhand | Baba Beant Singh, Gurdwara Nagrasu, says, "They came here day before yesterday and started fighting. They started beating and abusing the volunteers. Even then we let them stay overnight. Provided them with food. They started fighting with us… pic.twitter.com/7RNJjOwm5F

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 22, 2026

The standoff is linked to a violent clash that took place in Karnaprayag, Chamoli, on June 16. The incident allegedly began after an argument over parking between local residents and a group of Nihang pilgrims returning from Sri Hemkund Sahib. The confrontation escalated into violence, leaving four locals injured. One Nihang pilgrim was also hurt.

Following the clash, police arrested four Nihang devotees from Mohali, Punjab. The six Nihangs at the Nagrasu gurdwara are demanding their release and have also called for action against the other group involved in the Chamoli incident. Youth Killed in Punjab: One Arrested After Nihang Sikh Kills Youngster Over Suspicions of Sacrilege in Phagwara (Watch Video).

According to gurdwara management, the Nihangs had earlier demanded that 50-60 rooms be arranged to accommodate supporters arriving for a protest against what they described as "one-sided action" by authorities. When the request could not be fulfilled, the group allegedly became violent and occupied the upper floors of the shrine.

Beant Singh, one of the gurdwara managers, said the Nihangs arrived from Mohali around 4 pm on Saturday and later blocked access to the third floor before taking control of the area. He claimed the group warned authorities against taking any forceful action and continued to hold the devotee hostage.

Police said discussions are ongoing, and Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar has assured the Nihangs of safe passage back to Punjab. However, the situation remains unresolved as security personnel maintain a tight vigil around the gurdwara.

The Uttarakhand government has suspended Internet services and imposed prohibitory orders in Rudraprayag district and Karnaprayag in Chamoli district to prevent fresh flare-ups following the recent dispute between Nihang Sikhs and locals.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2026 07:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).