Bathinda, September 17
Mr Mohinder Singh Chahal, Commandant, 5th Battalion of the Punjab Armed Police (PAP), who is on poll duty in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, today disclosed that militants equipped with modern weapons and having military training made three attacks on the polling booth at Sur Gosain village in Poonch district where one of the commandos, Jarnail Singh laid down his life while repulsing the attack.

Narrating the incident to TNS over telephone, he said that Jarnail Singh, who was on sentry duty and alert, repulsed the first and second attacks. He died on the spot when a bullet hit his heart after piercing through his arm in the third attack.

He pointed out that firing by militants under the cover of darkness and with the advantage of hills continued for about six hours from 10 pm to 4 am.

He added that had Jarnail Singh not reacted swiftly to the repeated attacks of militants, there would have more casualties. Jarnail Singh had proved the fact that Punjab police meant business and could work in an inhospitable climate and inaccessible areas.

“We are in chardi kalan (high spirit),” said Mr Chahal when asked about the feeling among the commandos after the incident. He added that morale of the commandos was very high.

The Army, paramilitary forces and other security agencies are fighting a battle with well-trained and armed militants, said Mr Chahal from his base camp situated in Mender. He added that area had been infested with the militants and attacks by them were common in that region.

He said when the militants made an attack, two sections of commandos (20) were on the duty. The militants were more than 25 in number. One of the militants had also been injured in the firing but it was not yet confirmed from official sources.

He said after Jarnail Singh succumbed to his injuries, the other commandos raised slogans like “Bharat Mata ki jai.” The body of Jarnail Singh was taken to Jammu by an aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

He said that local police and local residents had been helping the Punjab Police commandos in their duty.

Mr Gurnam Singh Mehra, Commandant, Police Commando Training Complex, Bhadurgarh, who gave one month special training to commandos before they left for Jammu and Kashmir for election duty, said that Jarnail Singh was a very alert and brave jawan.

Meanwhile, Mr Mehal Singh Bhullar, Director-General of Police (DGP), Punjab, today announced that the brother of martyr Jarnail Singh, commando of 5 Battalion of the PAP, who laid down his life while fighting militants at a polling booth in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, would be inducted into the Punjab police. His son would also be given a government job after he attained the minimum age.

Mr Bhullar, who attended the funeral of Jarnail Singh, said the widow of Jarnail Singh would get the last salary drawn by Jarnail Singh till the age of 58 and after that she would get pension every month. The name of Jarnail Singh would be recommended for a gallantry award through the Jammu and Kashmir government.

He announced an ex gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased. He added that Rs 2 lakh would be given to the kin as insurance amount. Apart from it, Rs 1 lakh would be given from the police welfare fund.

While saying that Jarnail Singh had done Punjab proud, he said the Chief Minister, Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, would attend the bhog ceremony of Jarnail Singh. The Chief Minister would also give all benefits, including Rs 5 lakh, which are given as per the rules, to the kin of the deceased.