Former Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, who was credited with rooting out pro-Khalistani militancy in Punjab, passed away after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Thursday afternoon. Gill was 82.
Gill was admitted to the hospital on May 18 after he was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure and significant Ischemic Heart Disease.
“He was suffering from end stage kidney failure and significant ischemic heart disease. Gill had been recovering from peritonitis but died of a sudden cardiac arrest caused by cardiac arrhythmia,” said Doctor DS Rana, Chairman, Department of Nephrology.
“KPS Gill will be remembered for his service to our nation in the fields of policing & security. Pained by his demise. My condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
The iconic IPS officer had served twice as the DGP in Punjab before retiring from the force in 1995. He held that post from 1988 to 1990 and then again from 1991 until his retirement in 1995. He was subsequently appointed the president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
Gill was an author, editor, speaker and consultant on counter terrorism.
Gill, a 1957 batch IPS officer of the Assam and Meghalaya cadre was famously known as “supercop” and ‘lion of Punjab’ and feted by the Indian media for his relentless campaign to wipe out Khalistani terrorists. Gill led a campaign and saw to it that the Pakistani-sponsored terrorism was finished forever from Punjab. He was also awarded Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 1989 for his remarkable work in the civil service.