Priority is to equip police with sophisticated weapons, says CM after Punjab terror attack

Kapurthala: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday met the family members of police officer Baljit Singh who died during the terrorist attack at Dina

Nagar and paid his last respects to the martyr by laying wreaths on his body.

Badal spent more than half an hour with the family of the martyr, who was cremated here today with full police honours, and assured them that their demands would be considered sympathetically.

Talking to mediapersons at the house of the slain SP (Detective) in Santpura locality here, he said he had a telephonic conversation with Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday and informed him about the situation in the state after the attack.

On another question about the ill-equipped weaponry like outdated bullets with the state police, Badal said the state government would make it a priority to equip the police with sophisticated weapons with the Centre's help.

He, however, lauded the efforts of Punjab police and SWAT team for their bravery in killing the three terrorists.

According to Badal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also lauded the role of Punjab police in fighting the militants.

Replying to another question about the foreign visit of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Badal said Sukhbir had gone abroad before this incident and he was available to handle the situation.

Commenting on the remarks of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh that Badal was playing dirty politics, Badal said he is in a habit of criticizing the government for nothing.

On the alert sounded by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over a possible terrorist attack in Punjab, Badal said he was not aware of any such alert and Punjab DGP could answer about it better.

Meanwhile, the city observed a bandh as a mark of respect to the martyr.