Patiala: In a shocking incident reported today on April 12 2020 at Patiala, a policeman's hand was chopped off and two other police officials were injured when a group of people allegedly attacked them.

The miscreants were identified as Nihangs (Sikhs armed with traditional weapons and dressed in loose blue top) . According to sources, a group of four-five Nihangs were travelling in a vehicle and were asked to stop at a vegetable market at around 6.15 am by the Mandi board officials.

Speaking to the media, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mandeep Singh Sidhu said that there were asked to show (curfew) passes. But they crashed the vehicle against the gate and barricades pt up there. The group then attacked the police personnel on duty.

An ASI's (Assistant Sub Inspector) hand was cut 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," Sidhu said.

The ASI was rushed to the Rajindra hospital where from he was referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh and is currently undergoing surgery.

The Nihangs fled the scene after the attack, the SSP said, but were arrested later.

The incident took place when restrictions are in place in the state because of the coronavirus outbreak.