In a shocking incident, a policeman’s hand was severed and two of his colleagues were injured after a group of Nihangs (Sikhs armed with traditional weapons) attacked them near a vegetable market in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

The incident took place on April 12 at the Sanaur vegetable market in Patiala district.

Video shows the armed group ramming their vehicle against barricades that were put up to stall the flow of traffic.

Things take a nasty turn when police intercept and stop them near the market.

Soon, an argument breaks out between the two parties.

In the ongoing clash, a miscreant attacks and chops the policeman's hand, as the latter fall on the ground and writhes in pain.

According to Patiala's Senior Superintendent of Police, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, the perpetrators were asked to show valid passes required to commute during the ongoing lockdown, leading to the clash.

The victim whose hand was chopped off has been identified as Harjeet Singh, an Assistant Sub Inspector. The other two victims include a Station House Officer and another official.

The ASI was rushed to the Rajindra Hospital from where he was referred to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh.

At the time of filing this report, Singh is undergoing surgery at the PGIMER.

Reports said the eight Nihangs were arrested from the Gurudwara Khicri Sahab, where they had fled after the attack.

Police surrounded the building forcing the perpetrators to come out.

A Nihang who was injured in the cross-firing at the Gurudwara has been moved to a hospital.

The attack comes at a time when the 21-day lockdown in the state has been extended until May 1. With 11 deaths due to the COVID-19, Punjab has recorded a total of 135 novel coronavirus cases, as per official data.