Balwinder Singh, 62, was shot dead by two unidentified men in his home in Punjab's Tarn Taran today.
Shaurya Chakra award winner Balwinder Singh, who had fought against terrorism for years, was shot dead by two unidentified men in Punjab's Tarn Taran district today. He and his family had remained on the hit list of terrorists for years.
The security provided by the state government to the 62-year-old was removed a year ago on the recommendation of the local police.
Condoling Mr Singh's death, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered a Special Investigation Team to look into the murder.
The SIT headed by the Ferozepur Deputy Inspector General would "probe all angles of the fatal attack on Balwinder Singh to crack the case and arrest the accused", a statement from the Punjab Chief Minister's office said.
The Chief Minister has directed Director General of Police, Dinkar Gupta, to ensure speedy investigation. Captain Amarinder said the probe will take into account all possibilities. "Anyone found guilty of the murder would be dealt with strictly," he added.
"Balwinder Singh was shot dead in his home around 7AM this morning. Two unidentified men were involved in the attack, one of whom went up to his house and shot him at point blank range. He died on the spot. The details of the vehicle used by the two men and its registration number are being probed," officer Gupta said.
Mr Singh was known for fighting and surviving numerous attacks by terrorists on his home between 1990 and 1991. He had even erected bunkers on the roof of his house.
According to a government citation, Mr Singh and his family had survived a particularly deadly attack by at least 200 terrorists in September 1990. Mr Singh, his brother and their wives fought off the terrorists - who had sophisticated weapons - for five hours using their pistols and STEN-guns provided by the government. The terrorists finally retreated in the face of their resistance, the citation adds.
The bravery displayed by Mr Singh and his family had earned them international acclaim.