Amritsar: Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, was shot dead by two unknown assailants in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab on Friday night. Members of his family on Saturday refused to cremate the body unless the defendants are arrested.
Sandhu, 62, who fought terrorism in Punjab, was shot and killed in the district on Friday, months after the government removed his security cover.
The men on a motorcycle fired four bullets at him while he was in his office next to his home in Bhikhiwind. Sandhu’s wife, Jagdish Kaur Sandhu, told reporters: “The family would not incinerate him unless they arrest the killers.” He also demanded security coverage for his family.
“All members of the family – me, my late husband, his brother Ranjit Singh Sandhu and his wife Balraj Kaur Sandhu – are awarded the Shaurya Chakra and this award was given by the Center for our fight against militancy.”
If we had security, this would not have happened, as the killers would have feared retaliation. We had sent several emails, written requests and also met with officials, but got no assurance: Pranpreet Kaur, daughter of Balwinder Singh who was shot and killed in her home https://t.co/VoNH9zG49y pic.twitter.com/0by0ybtwlO
– ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2020
“Both the central and state governments are responsible for the intelligence failure that resulted in the murder of my husband by terrorists,” Sandhu’s wife said.
He also said that if the state government did not provide security for the family, then it was the responsibility of the Center to do what was necessary. Sandhu had fought terrorism in the state for years, facing dozens of terror attacks during the height of Khalistani militancy.
His security cover was removed by the state government a year ago on the recommendation of the Tarn Taran police, his brother Ranjit had said, adding that his entire family had remained on the terrorist list.
Sandhu’s wife, Jagdish Kaur, had said Friday that it was “the work of terrorists”, arguing that her family had no personal enmity with anyone. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh condemned Sandhu’s death and established a special investigation team headed by the Ferozpur Deputy Inspector General of Police to investigate the murder.
The prime minister said that the SIT will investigate the murder, taking into account all possibilities. The guilty will not be spared, he had said.
Tarn Taran’s Brave Heart had been featured in a few documentaries. Inspired by Sandhu and his family, many people followed him and defended themselves from the terrorist attacks. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra in 1993.
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