Punjab: Shaurya Chakra awardee shot, kin blame govt

Large number of people gathered to pay last respects to a Shaurya Chakra awardee who was shot dead in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Motorcycle-borne men had pumped four bullets into 62-year-old Balwinder Singh, who had fought militancy in Punjab. Singh's family has complained that his security was removed a few months ago and has held the govt responsible for the murder.

Singh's wife Jagdish Kaur said: "There are 42 registered FIRs of attacks on our family and countless other attacks have taken place which are not on record. Withdrawal of security was wrong".

The govt, on the other hand, said that security was removed amid the Covid pandemic as police personnel were called back for emergency duties. Now the family's security has been restored.