The Monday terror attack and around 12-hour-long operation brought bouquets to the Punjab Police for its success in dealing with the militants. At the same time, it also brought brickbats for the State police authorities for being caught napping from time they entered the State till finding their way into a police station.
Intelligence inputs suggested that the three terrorists could have come from Narowal in Pakistan, which was known to be a training base for the terrorists, and made their way south after infiltrating from the Jammu-Samba axis at around 3 am.
Before reaching Dinanagar police station, the terrorists attacked an eatery, a passenger bus, and adjoining hospital killing three civilians. They even reportedly planted five bombs at a railway line. In fact, a senior-level police officer admitted that the “attack took Dinanagar police by surprise”.
Even as the Army and Special Forces were called in to handle the situation, the State Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini refused to hand over the operations to them, and led from the front.
Punjab Police, and its specialised Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) commandos, handled the entire operation, with the Army’s assistance from a distance.
ADGP Intelligence Hardeep Singh Dhillon said that the Punjab Police was well-equipped to handle a group of three militants.
Sources said that the Army troops were deployed on the outer cordon, while the actual operation with the terrorists was being undertaken by the Punjab Police. Two officers of the rank of brigadier were on the spot to oversee the Army’s deployment and coordinate with the police and civilian agencies involved.
In the operation, four policemen, including SP-level officer Baljit Singh died. lauding the bravery and prompt action of the SWAT, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Sukhbir Badal said that the martyrdom of SP (D) Baljit Singh have again shown that the brave Punjabis always led the nation in safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation.
He said that DGP Sumedh Singh, his team and SWAT commandos have done a commendable job and the courage shown by police officers deserves recognition.
The SWAT team, which was formed some four years ago, put its training to good use by successfully bringing down all three heavily armed terrorists in a no holds barred fire fight.
Deputy Chief Minister said that the idea to form a highly trained commando outfit came about after the Mumbai blasts when crucial time was lost in tackling the terrorists holed up in the Taj Mahal hotel because the NSG team was stationed in Delhi.
He said that the new team created in Punjab is not only equipped with the latest weaponry but has trained by Israeli experts. “Moreover, they are highly motivated and equipped to handle every exigency,” he said.
Sukhbir said that 28 members of the team were involved in an exercise at Amritsar and therefore could be deployed to Dinanagar immediately.
He said that the team had equipped itself commendably and he had asked DGP Sumedh Singh Saini to reward them for the exemplary valour and dedication shown by them in neutralising the terrorists.
DESPITE Ill HEAlTH, BADAl KEPT ClOSE TAB ON SITUATION All DAY
Despite ill-health, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was constantly monitoring the situation in Gurdaspur and maintaining a liaison with the Union Home Ministry, also held a high-level meeting with the top civil and police officials at his residence in the evening.
The meeting, which was attended by the Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu and Gaggandip Singh Brar respectively besides the ADGP (Intelligence) Hardeep Singh Dhillon, lasted about an hour.
In the wake of the terror attack, Badal cancelled his scheduled Sangat Darshan in Baba Bakala assembly constituency of Amritsar district in the morning and oversaw the course of the Government response on a minute to minute basis.
Badal, who visited the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, to meet those injured in the indiscriminate firing at Dinanagar in the morning, flew into the capital in the afternoon and was immediately closeted with the top brass of the civil and police administration at his residence.
FREE MEDICAl TREATMENT TO INJURED
Enquiring about the well-being of the victims injured during terror attack at Amritsar’s Guru Nanak Hospital, asked the Deputy Commissioner and officers of the Health department to ensure quality medical treatment to the injured free of cost for ensuring their speedy recovery.
Badal also interacted with the injured people and assured them of full support from the state government.
He also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of security personnel and civilians in the terrorist attack. He prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.
“The State would ever remain indebted to these people who have attained martyrdom in this attack,” said Badal, who also paid glorious tributes to SP Baljeet Singh who attained martyrdom during fierce counter insurgency operation, who displayed utmost commitment, sincerity and dedication on call of duty.