Martyred SP Baljit Singh's father too died in a terror attack

KAPURTHALA: History repeated itself in the death of Gurdaspur SP (detective) Baljit Singh, who was killed fighting terrorists in Dinanagar town on Monday. The officer's father, ASI Achhar Singh, too had lost his life in a similar fashion 31 years ago during a search operation in Moga district.

Baljit was recruited as an ASI in Punjab Police in 1986 on compassionate grounds in his father's place and rose to SP level. "His father was at the forefront of a search operation in Moga when he sacrificed his life," recalled a senior police official.

Baljit, 49, is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. His family has been living in Preet Nagar locality of Kapurthala since 1997. His native village is Dhandowal village in Jalandhar district.

His family members and neighbours tried to break the news of the SP's death to his wife Kulwant Kaur slowly as she is a heart patient. She was first told that he had met with an accident and his condition was serious, but she realized something was amiss when people began to steam into her house, and went into shock.

"One of the SP's daughters had got engaged sometime back and the family was preparing for her wedding," said close family friend Vandna.

DSP Gurmeet Singh Cheema, who knew the dead officer well said, "Baljit was scheduled to shift to his official residence on Monday."

"Unlike many other policemen, Baljit was focused on his professional work and perhaps that is why he was at the front with his juniors," said neighbour Naveen Oberoi.