CHANDIGARH: Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu who fought terrorism in Punjab was shot dead by two unknown assailants in Tarn Taran district on Friday, months after the government withdrew his security cover.
The motorcycle-borne men pumped four bullets into 62-year-old Sandhu when he was at his office adjoining his home at Bhikhiwind in the district and escaped, police said.
He was taken to the hospital where doctors declared him "brought dead".
Sandhu had fought against terrorism in the state for years, facing scores of terror attacks during the height of Khalistani militancy.
Singh's security cover was withdrawn by the state government a year ago on the recommendation of Tarn Taran police, his brother Ranjit said, adding their entire family had remained on the hit list of terrorists.
Sandhu's wife Jagdish Kaur said it was the "handiwork of terrorists", maintaining that their family did not have any personal enmity with anyone.
"The family always fought against terrorists. As many as 62 attacks were made on my family by terrorists. We made numerous requests with DGP Dinkar Gupta for the security cover but all in vain, she said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh condoled Sandhu's death and set up a special investigation team headed by Ferozpur deputy inspector general to probe the killing.
The chief minister said the SIT will probe the killing, taking all possibilities into account.
The guilty will not be spared, he added.
Sandhu was killed by two unknown assailants at around 7 am, said Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta, adding the victim died on the spot.
A CCTV footage from the area shows that two unknown assailants arrived at Sandu's house, one of them entered the premises and fired at him from a point-blank range.
The details of the vehicle and its registration number are being ascertained, the DGP said the DGP in a statement.
An SIT has already been formed to nab the accused, he said.
Giving details of the SIT, the DGP said in addition to Ferozepur Range DIG Hardial Maan, the team comprises Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Dhruman Nimbale and Bhikhiwind Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajbir Singh.
A case under relevant sections including 302 (murder) of the IPC and the Arms Act has been registered, he added.
The Tarn Taran braveheart also featured in some documentaries.
Inspired by Sandhu and his family, many people followed him and defended themselves from terror attacks.
The Union government awarded him Shaurya Chakra in 1993.
"Balwinder Singh Sandhu and his brother Ranjit Singh Sandhu are opposed to the activities of terrorists. They were on the hit lists of terrorists. The terrorists so far have made 16 attempts to wipe out the Sandhu's family within in about 11 months," the citation for the gallantry award said.
"The terrorists attacked them in groups of 10 to 200, but every time Sandhu brothers with the help of their brave wives Jagdish Kaur Sandhu and Balraj Kaur Sandhu have successfully foiled the attempts of militants to kill them," it said.
Militants had attacked the family on January 31, 1990 for the first time.
The family had faced the deadliest attack on September 30, 1990 when around 200 terrorists surrounded their house from all sides and attacked them continuously for five hours with deadly weapons including rocket launchers.
In this well-planned attack by terrorists, the approach road of the house was blocked by spreading underground mines so that no help from police could reach them, the citation said.
Undaunted, Sandhu brothers and their wives fought terrorists with pistols and sten-guns provided by the government.
The resistance shown by Sandhu brothers and their family members forced the terrorists to retreat, it said.
All these persons have displayed courage and bravery of a high order in facing the attack of the terrorists and failing their repeated murderous attempts, it further says.