PK Jaiswar and Gurbaxpuri
Bhikhiwind, October 16
Comrade Balwinder Singh (Sandhu) Bhikhiwind (62), awarded by Shaurya Chakra, was shot dead today by two unidentified assailants at his residence and on the school premises, months after the government removed his security cover.
Sit down to investigate, CM promises action
- CM Amarinder Singh has ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the murder of Balwinder Singh
- He directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure a speedy investigation to identify and bring the culprits to reserve.
- Anyone found guilty of the murder will be treated strictly, the CM added.
The assailants opened fire on him as he opened the school door. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him “dead”. He had suffered five gunshot wounds. The Bhikhiwind Police Station is only 100 meters from the crime scene.
Tarn Taran SSP Dhruman Nimbale said that one case had been recorded and that all possible angles were being analyzed. The relatives of the deceased affirmed that it was a terrorist attack.
“Comrade Balwinder Singh was on the terrorist list. Even after repeated requests, the police failed to provide security for the family, ”said Balwinder’s wife, Jagdish Kaur. Balwinder had bravely fought terrorism for years. He had even trained his sons to fight militants. His exploits reached the international media, including National Geographic. The Union Government awarded him Shaurya Chakra in 1993. “Balwinder Singh Sandhu and his brother Ranjit Singh Sandhu oppose the activities of terrorists. They were on the terrorist list. The terrorists, so far, have made 16 attempts to finish off the Sandhu family in about 11 months, ”said the mention for the gallantry award.
His is the only family in the country that has received four Shaurya Chakras. Besides Balwinder and his wife Jagdish Kaur, his older brother Ranjit and his wife Balraj Kaur also received the Shaurya Chakra.
Balwinder’s home was located near the ancestral home of Parmjit Singh Panjwar, the self-styled head of the Khalistan Command Force, who was later declared India’s “most wanted terrorist”.
Panjwar himself led several attacks on the Sandhus household. His house was attacked with rocket launchers, hand grenades, etc. more than 40 times. When the police did not come to their aid, the Sandhus decided to arm themselves.
“Terrorists attacked us numerous times and 42 FIRs were registered,” said Jagdish Kaur.
Although the deceased was a state leader of the CPM when he fought against terrorism, he joined the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) about two years ago.
DIG, Ferozepur range, HS Mann visited the crime scene.
