Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Bhikhiwind, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district on Friday, police said. Singh bravely fought terrorists on several occasions. Balwinder’s family has claimed the role of terrorists behind his killing.
According to media reports, the motorcycle-borne miscreants attacked Singh when he was at his office, adjoining his home, in the district’s Bhikhiwind village, the police said, adding that the accused then fled the spot.
“Mr Singh was murdered today. Two people were involved in the attack, one of whom went up to his house and shot him. We have filed a case and it is being investigated,” Senior Superintendent of Police Tarn Taran Dhruman Nimbale said to NDTV.
Singh’s security cover was withdrawn by the State government a year ago on the recommendation of Tarn Taran police, his brother Ranjit said, adding that their entire family had remained on the hit list of terrorists.
According to a government citation, Singh and his family had survived a particularly deadly attack by at least 200 terrorists in September 1990. In 1993, Balwinder Singh, his brother and their wives were awarded Shaurya Chakra by the President for their bravery.
