Security of retired cops active during days of terrorism to be reviewed soon

The Punjab Police are reviewing the security of police personnel who were active during the terrorism days after an investigation into the Chandigarh grenade attack has confirmed that retired SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal was the target. Chahal lived in the targeted house in Chandigarh’s Sector 10 as a tenant till a few months ago, a senior Punjab Police officer said. Sources said the security of retired police personnel was being assessed following the incident.

A social media post by US-based gangster-terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Pashia, had claimed that they attacked Chahal due to his role in the 1986 Nakodar police firing incident in which four youths were killed.

Pashia had also planned a similar strike at Chahal in October last year, but the counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police had foiled it. The police had then arrested four youths, including Bikramjit Singh, alias Raja Bains, and Bawa Singh. Chahal had moved out of the Chandigarh house after that.

The police have claimed that the Babbar Khalsa International had planned the conspiracy with Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda and Pashia.

The incident has brought the Nakodar firing case into focus again. In October last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the February 1986 police firing incident. The families of the victims, besides several human rights organisations, had alleged that the police killed the four in cold blood. Baldev Singh, father of Harminder Singh, one of the four youths, had moved a petition before the HC. He was the only one left fighting for justice, as relatives of other victims are either dead or backed out of the case.

The Justice Gurnam Singh Commission report submitted in October 1986, had blamed the Jalandhar police and civil administration for the firing incident. It described Chahal as a “trigger-happy Inspector”.

On February 4, 1986, the police allegedly opened fire on people protesting against sacrilege at a Nakodar gurdwara. The incident involved the burning of a number of “birs” by some miscreants. The commission report indicted police officials, including Jaskirat Singh Chahal, who was the Nakodar SHO then. The report said Chahal killed Harminder Singh from close range. The report said, “It is a cold-blooded murder by a public servant.” Sadly, only the first half of the commission report was made public while the second half, which recommended action against the indicted officials, was reported missing. It has not been traced yet.

Chandigarh grenade blast fallout

• Retired SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal was reportedly the target of the recent grenade attack in Chandigarh
• A similar strike on Chahal was planned in October last year, but the counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police had foiled that
• The Justice Gurnam Singh Report on the Nakodar firing case of 1986 had termed Chahal as a “trigger happy Inspector”