Chandigarh, October 16, 2020: Balwinder Singh Bhikhiwind, who fought against terrorists and beat back many attacks on him in the 1980s and 90s, was shot dead today by two unidentified men in Bhikhiwind village, Tarn Taran district.
According to reports, the killers were waiting for him outside his school and the moment he opened the gate, they shot him five times and escaped. Balwinder was rushed to hospital but he had already breathed his last on the way. The police reached the spot and have started their investigation.
A Shaurya Chakra awardee, 62-year-old Balwinder was a Leftist and when terrorism was rampant in Punjab he along with his family confronted terrorists from their fortified house in the village when the they came to target him. He trained his wife, children and other family members to use weapons.
Inspired by him, many people took up arms to defend themselves from terrorist attacks.
Grieving family members of Balwinder
Talking to Babushahi, Hardial Singh Mann, DIG, Ferozepur range, said the police is working on two-three theories and will solve the case soon.
“Around one year back, his security cover was withdrawn by the state government on the recommendation of Tarn Taran police,” said Ranjit Singh brother of the deceased, adding that entire family remained on the hit list of terrorists as they had made around 16 attempts to kill him but every time he survived.
Due to his bravery, many documentary movies were made on in past, said Ranjit.
In 1993 Ministry of Defense, awarded him Sharuya Chakra with citation “Balwidner Singh Sandhu and his brother Ranjit Singh Sandhu are opposed to the activities of terrorists. They were in the hit list of terrorists. The terrorist have so far made 16 attempts to wipe out the Sandhu’s family with in a span of about 11 months. The terrorists attacked them in groups of 10 to 200, but every time Sandhu brothers with the help of their brave wives Smt. Jagdish Kaur Sandhu and Balraj Kaur Sandhu have successfully failed the attempts of militants to kill them.
“The first attack on Sandhu family was made on 31st January 1990 and last one 28-12-1991, but the deadliest attack was made on 30th Sept 1990 on that day about 200 terrorists surrounded the Sandhu’s house from all sides and attacked them continuously for five hours with deadly weapons including rocket launchers. The attack was well planned and approach road of the house was blocked by spreading underground gun mines so that no help from police forces could reach them. Undaunted, Sandhu brothers and their wives fought the terrorist with pistols and sten-guns provided by the Government. The resistance shown by Sandhu brothers and their family members forced the terrorists to retreat. 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”.