In 1986, DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro assumed office as the Director General of Police in Punjab, implementing his infamous “Bullet for Bullet” policy. This declaration marked a brutal crackdown on Sikh youths who had taken up arms in response to Operation Blue Star and for the establishment of a separate Sikh state, Khalistan. Among those enforcing Ribeiro’s directives were SSP Avinder Singh Brar, aged 33, who served as the SSP of Patiala, and his colleague, SP Headquarters Kanwal Ranbir Singh (KRS) Gill, aged 31. Both were known for their ruthless actions and worked closely under Ribeiro, earning them a reputation for terrorizing the region.
Brar and Gill were notorious for their corruption and brutality, particularly in the Patiala region. They were accused of orchestrating numerous fake encounters, carrying out extrajudicial killings, and even eliminating individuals in genuine encounters under questionable circumstances. Most of their victims were Sikh youth, targeted solely for their suspected affiliation with the Khalistan movement. The duo also inflicted heavy losses on the Babbar Khalsa Jathebandi, a prominent Khalistani organization active in the area.
Despite repeated warnings from Kharkus to cease their campaign of killing innocent Sikhs and Kharkus, Brar and Gill continued their oppressive actions. Their unwavering arrogance and reliance on power ultimately made them prime targets for retaliation by the very movement they sought to crush.
Action Day -December 14, 1987
On the freezing morning of December 14, 1987, dawn had just broken over Patiala. At approximately 7:00 AM, SSP Avinder Singh Brar, aged 33, and his close associate, SP (Headquarters) Kanwal Ranbir Singh (KRS) Gill, aged 31, were following their daily routine of jogging and exercising. Fitness enthusiasts by habit, the two officers regularly visited the grounds of the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, located just six kilometers from their Police Line Headquarters, for morning exercise and a game of tennis.
That morning, after completing their jog, Brar and Gill had begun their tennis session, both dressed in tracksuits. As the game progressed, two young men, also dressed in tracksuits, approached them casually. With friendly gestures, they shook hands with the officers and exchanged greetings. Unbeknownst to Brar and Gill, these young men were Kharkus, determined members of the Khalistani movement, who had come to settle scores.
After confirming the identities of their targets, the two Kharkus signaled to a third associate who was positioned near the exit. This third Kharku, also clad in a tracksuit and concealing himself with a blanket, sprang into action. From beneath the blanket, he drew a Chinese-made AK-47 assault rifle and opened fire. His first target was SSP Brar. The burst of bullets struck Brar with precision, and he fell lifeless to the ground. One fatal shot pierced his temple, ending his life instantly.
In the ensuing chaos, SP Gill attempted to flee toward the police jeep parked nearby. However, the Kharkus were relentless. Gill was intercepted and shot multiple times, sustaining critical injuries. While Brar’s death was immediate, Gill was rushed to the hospital by his driver but succumbed to his injuries on the way. The brutal attack left Brar’s face so disfigured by bullet wounds that even his own colleagues struggled to recognize him.
This meticulously planned assassination served as a grim warning to others who had aligned themselves against the Sikh resistance movement.
Aftermath
Following the assassination, the three Kharkus calmly walked across the empty field, their demeanor betraying no sign of the high-profile action they had just executed. They scaled a nearby wall and entered the Moti Bagh Gurdwara, a serene sanctuary adjacent to the scene. From there, they mounted a waiting motorcycle and disappeared into the countryside, leaving no immediate trace behind.
According to verified sources, the Kharku who fired the AK-47 was identified as Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, a prominent member of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Among his two associates, one was confirmed to be Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Shindu, also known as KC Sharma, hailing from the village of Kot Mohammad Khan. Their actions were swift, precise, and carefully coordinated, leaving law enforcement scrambling in their wake.
At the scene of the incident, police recovered nine spent bullet shells, a chilling reminder of the firepower used in the attack. The high-profile nature of the event prompted an immediate response from senior officials. Prominent figures, including Punjab Governor Siddhartha Shankar Ray, DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro, and senior officers of the BSF and CRPF, rushed to Patiala. The police and paramilitary forces launched an extensive search operation to track down the assassins, but their trail had already gone cold.
The event sent shockwaves through the administration, further highlighting the Kharkus’ ability to strike at the heart of the state’s security apparatus with precision and impunity.
SSP Brar and SP Gill Profiles
SSP Avinder Singh Brar, aged 33, hailed from a landowning family in Abul Khurana, Faridkot district. He received his early education at the prestigious St. George’s College in Mussoorie before pursuing an honors degree in English Literature at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, in 1972. A man of many talents, Brar held the national record in the 100-meter breaststroke, showcasing his prowess as an athlete.
Brar’s professional achievements were equally impressive. He topped the IPS list in 1979 and chose his home cadre, quickly rising through the ranks due to his efficiency and dedication. Just six months before his assassination, Brar had been appointed as the personal security officer to DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro, a position that underscored his trusted standing within Punjab’s police force.
SP (Headquarters) Kanwal Ranbir Singh (KRS) Gill, a 1981 IPS batch officer, was a trained veterinary doctor by education. He belonged to the village of Verpal in Amritsar district—an area noted for producing a significant number of Kharkus.
Gill’s familial connections also added to his prominence. He was the son-in-law of Ludhiana’s Additional Sessions Judge Sohal, which provided him a notable social and professional network. Despite his relative youth and professional accomplishments, Gill became a target due to his association with state actions against the Sikh resistance movement.
DGP Ribeiro’s Note
Former DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro, often referred to as the “Butcher of Punjab” by his critics, reflected on this incident in his autobiography with a mix of regret and introspection. He wrote:
“If I had not selected Avinder Brar to keep me safe and alive, he would have gone on to command Punjab Police sooner or later. This was one big ‘if’ that might have decided the course an outstanding officer’s life would take. As I wrote in an earlier article, history is replete with ifs and buts.”
Ribeiro also recounted the emotional aftermath of the incident:
“When he (SSP Brar) was shot dead by Kharkus in the Patiala sports complex, his brother-in-law, a serving Army officer, and the father-in-law of the other IPS officer killed along with Avinder, accused me of leading young Sikh youth to perdition! I gave them no reply because I knew in my bones that they and other near relatives were emotionally upset. But reflecting on the circumstances later in life, I had to admit to my own role in Avinder’s early departure from the world. That event was never visualized, I can say with certainty in my defense.”
Ribeiro’s words reveal a rare moment of vulnerability, highlighting the unintended consequences of his decisions during his tenure in Punjab.
Songs made on this action https://soundcloud.com/5riverproductions/tracksuit-aardee-ft-channi-nattan-gill-saab-saabi-samra
Written by the Editor and Admin of June84.com