Goodbye KPS Gill, You Will Be Remembered

KPS Gill will always be remembered as a super cop who led Punjab Police at a time when militancy was at its peak.

It came as a shock since you really looked unwell when I saw you on TV a couple of weeks ago. But you sounded almost the same when we spoke over the phone. I remember vividly our conversation that lasted for an hour – recollecting those days of senseless violence and reliving a few deadly experiences was great. Equally enriching were your comments on the present situation in Kashmir, the Naxalite movement and other issues plaguing the nation.

Surviving Militancy in Punjab

Under your leadership, we fought the biggest armed uprising of independent India and not only came out alive, but were also successful in controlling the senseless violence unleashed during militancy in Punjab and restoring peace.

My first interaction with you was on the day you had joined duty in Punjab in 1984, as IG PAP (Punjab Armed Police) and Operations at Jalandhar, where I was posted as Sr SP. I told you about nabbing a militant that day. I was surprised when you wanted to see him right away.

You questioned him for hours and were surprised to know that he was a Hindu who became a Sikh militant under the influence of Sant Bhindranwale. You spoke with him at length in order to understand how such a change could’ve happened in our socio-religious system. I could make out that a professional cop had arrived on the scene.

Also Read: KPS Gill, Ex-Punjab DGP Who Countered Khalistani Terrorism, Dead

Operation Black Thunder in 1987

Later, we all dispersed but met again in 1986 when you came back as IG CRPF, and I was as DIG CRPF along with your deputy at Amristar. Violence was at its peak in the Majha area of Punjab, with shoot-outs taking place daily.

It was then that under your leadership, operational strategies were revised leading to formation of sectors, sub-sectors, with joint deployment of the Punjab Police and the Paramilitary Forces (CRPF and BSF). This was accompanied by planned patrolling, joint operations, sharing information, and generating field intelligence – these were introduced in a big way and yielded good results.

And then you were again called back to take over Punjab Operation in 1987. The fight continued with its share of successes and failures, ups and downs. Your greatest role as the leader of the Operation was to ensure that the forces were able to dominate the strongholds of militants with the collaboration of senior officers in field operations. I distinctly remember the chilly December nights when we laid ambushes in Mand or other areas where the terrorists' writ ran.

I have seen you leading ambushes in some of the most difficult areas. Then holding training camps in Mand to prepare the force where the groups coming from outside Punjab were given prior training, wherein the problem plaguing the state was explained to them, which revolved around mingling of religious issues with local customs and practices, besides knowing the Do’s and Don’ts while performing their duty.

Punjab’s Super Cop

And then came Operation Black Thunder II, which started at a time I was injured with a bullet in my jaw outside the Golden Temple in May 1988. By then, you were DG Punjab and that is when we saw police leadership at its best. With all exit points blocked, all devotees were called out by the police guarding the entry points, leaving only the militants inside who were totally isolated and given the option to surrender.

Only a few were killed in exchange of fire as after a few days, all of them surrendered as they came out, raising their hands. You had achieved the result without much firing, damage, or even entry. This was indeed the greatest professional success, and it was acknowledged internationally.

You continued to lead the Punjab Police till 1995, until total normalcy returned barring a few incidents. But by then, peace had been consolidated and the Punjab Police had been galvanised into an effective anti-terrorist force. You also prepared the younger officers for leadership in times of crisis.

A cool head and a large heart, you were always unruffled, focused and at peace during operations. You encouraged young officers to understand, analyse, research and prepare operational strategy.

During my last meeting, you looked tired, weak and just a pale shadow of yourself. You also mentioned that those who gained maximum from the peace ushered in by you remained your greatest critics all along; a fact that pained you. I could make out the stress and strain of ill-health but could not imagine that end would come so soon.

Rest in peace, my General. I, and many more like me who learnt a lot from you while restoring peace in Punjab, will miss you.

(The writer is former DGP, Punjab and Maharashtra. The views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)