Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, along with his family, were awarded the Shaurya Chakra by the Ministry of Defence in 1993 for fighting against terrorism in Punjab during 1980s and 1990s.[1] Balwinder Singh Sandhu, an anti–Khalistan activist, was shot dead on 16 October 2020.[2][3][4] His security cover had been withdrawn in 2019 after the recommendation of Tarn Taran police.[5][6] His family has been attacked numerous times by terrorists.[5]

Background
Further information: Insurgency in Punjab

The peak in insurgency in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s resulted in 21,641 deaths. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, out of the 21,641 deaths, 11,786 were civilians, 1,754 were security personnel, the remaining 8,101 were terrorists. The years from 1986 to 1993 saw the most terrorism related deaths in the state with the peak being in 1991 when there were 5,265 terrorism related fatalities.[7] During these years of peak militancy in the state, some families in Punjab took up the gun to defend themselves — the Sandhu family in Bhikhiwind, Buta Ram's family in Amritsar and Bibi Amrik Kaur's family in Amarkot.[8]

Balwinder Singh Sandhu's residence was located between the India–Pakistan border on one side and the ancestral residence of one of India's most wanted terrorists at the time and chief of the Khalistan Commando Force Parmjit Singh Panjwar. Parmjit Singh Panjwar himself led some of the attacks on Balwinder Singh Sandhu's residence. Once Balwinder Singh Sandhu and his family realised that the police could not protect them, the Sandhus armed themselves. Over the years they would fend off over 40 attacks.[8]

Shaurya Chakra

Four members of Balwinder Singh Sandhu's family were jointly awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Balwinder Singh Sandhu and his wife Jagdish Kaur along with his brother Ranjit Singh and his wife Balraj Kaur were awarded the Shaurya Chakra by the Ministry of Defence in 1993.[9][2]

Citation

The Shaurya Chakra citation reads,[9][2]

Shri Balwinder Singh Sandhu and his brother Ranjeet Singh Sandhu are opposed to the activities of the terrorists. They are obviously in the hit list of the terrorists. The terrorists have so far made 16 attempts to wipe out the Sandhu family within a span of about 11 months. The terrorists attacked them in groups of 10 to 200, but every time the Sandhu brothers with the help of their brave wives, Smt. Jagdish Kaur Sandhu and Smt. Balraj Kaur Sandhu have successfully foiled the attempts of militants to kill them.

The first attack on Sandhu family was made on 31st January 1990, and the last on 28th December 1991. But the deadliest attack was made on 30th September, 1990. On that day, about 200 terrorists surrounded the Sandhu’s house from all sides and attacked them continuously for 5 hours with deadly weapons including rocket launchers. The attack was well planned and the approach road of the house was blocked by spreading underground gun mines so that no help from police forces could reach them.

Undaunted, the Sandhu brothers and their wives fought the terrorists with their pistols and sten guns provided by the Government. The resistance shown by the 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 foiling their repeated murderous attempts.

Death

On the morning of 16 October 2020, CCTV footage captured two motorcycle borne attackers entering the school in which the 62-year-old Balwinder Singh Sandhu ran within his residence. He was shot six times. Sandhu was declared dead in hospital.[1]

References
  1. Sethi, Chitleen K. (2020-10-16). "Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who fought militancy in Punjab, shot dead". ThePrint. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  2. "Anti-Khalistan activist shot dead in Punjab". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2020-10-16. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-10-19.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Singh, Surjit (16 October 2020). "Shaurya Chakra awardee and Left leader Balwinder Singh shot dead in Punjab's Tarn Taran". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  4. Jaiswar, PK (17 October 2020). "Anti-terror braveheart shot in Punjab". Tribune India. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  5. "Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh, who fought against terrorism, shot dead in Punjab". The Hindu. PTI. 2020-10-16. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-10-17.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. "Punjab: Shaurya Chakra Awardee Shot Dead; Government Withdrew Security Cover". The Wire. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  7. Radhakrishnan, Vignesh (2015-07-28). "Gurdaspur attack: 8101 militants killed in Punjab since 1981". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  8. Walia, Varinder (10 February 2005). "These bravehearts from the city fought militants and dacoits relentlessly". Tribune India. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  9. "Balwinder Singh Sandhu". Gallantry Awards, Government of India. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
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