Amid the nationwide lockdown, a policeman's hand was chopped off and few others were injured when a group of Nihangs (an armed order of the Sikh community) allegedly attacked them at a vegetable market in Punjab's Patiala district on Sunday.

The incident took place when restrictions are in place inthe state due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

According to Dinkar Gupta, Director General of Police (DGP)Punjab, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Harjeet Singh's hand got cutoff in the incident and he was immediately rushed to the PGI Chandigarh forsurgery.

Calling it an "unfortunate incident", the DGPtweeted: "A group of Nihangs injured a few Police officers and a MandiBoard official at Sabzi Mandi, Patiala. ASI Harjeet Singh whose hand got cut-offhas reached PGI Chandigarh."

Gupta spoke to PGI's Director who has deputed top plasticsurgeons of PGI for the police officer's surgery, which has begun.

The DGP said that the Nihang group will be arrested andaction will be initiated against them soon.

"I have spoken to Director of PGI who has deputed topplastic surgeons of PGI for surgery, which just started. The Nihang group willbe arrested and further action will be taken soon," he said.