No clue yet to Balwinder murder

Strap: Cops may bring jailed British national for questioning

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, January 24

Was Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh of Bhikhiwind gunned down due to personal enmity or was it a targeted killing? Three months and 13 arrests later, the Tarn Taran police are still groping in the dark about the motive.

While the victim’s family suspect terror angle, the police have been working on personal enmity theory. However, the police are now contemplating bringing Jagtar Singh, alias Jaggi Johal, a British national, on production warrant for interrogation.

Johal is alleged to be a close aid of pro-Khalistan leaders and was involved in the recent targeted killings in Punjab. He is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

While the Delhi Police after having interrogated Johal over his involvement in the killing have ruled out his role, the Tarn Taran police have made up their mind to bring him on production warrant.

To date, the district police have arrested 13 suspects, 11 of whom are in judicial custody. Two others — Sukhdeep Singh Bura and Gurjit Singh Bhaa — who are said to be shooters are still in police custody.

They have been interrogated for the past 11 days, but the police haven’t got anything substantial to establish the motive.

A senior police officer said while Sukhmeet Pal Singh, alias Sukh Bhikhariwal, the alleged mastermind of the killing, had denied his involvement, Johal’s name had cropped up in the case.

On November 4, DIG (Ferozepur range) Hardial Singh Mann had said two hardcore criminals — Sukhraj Singh, alias Sukha, and Ravinder Singh, alias Gyaan — at Sukh Bhikhariwal’s behest had hatched the conspiracy to kill Balwinder. He had claimed the two had then asked Bura and Bhaa to kill Balwinder.

The district police hope the interrogation of the two shooters will throw up some conclusive evidence.

SSP Dhruman H Nimbale said even Bhikhariwal was not aware of the motive.

Asked if any new name had come up who might reveal the motive, the SSP answered in the affirmative but refused to disclose the name.

Balwinder was shot on October 16 at his residence-cum-school at Bhikhiwind. The family had suspected it to be the handiwork of radicals since Balwinder had fought them bravely during militancy.

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13 suspects in custody

* The Tarn Taran police have so far arrested 13 suspects. Shooters Sukhdeep Singh Bura and Gurjit Singh Bhaa are still being interrogated

* While alleged mastermind Sukh Bhikhariwal has denied involvement, Jagtar Singh, alias Jaggi Johal’s name has cropped up in the case