A. S. Atwal

Who was A. S. Atwal?

Avtar Singh Atwal was a senior Indian police officer. He was an IPS, which he joined after serving five years as an Emergency Commissioned Officer in the Regiment of Artillery. He was serving as Deputy Inspector General of Police of Jalandhar District in Punjab. He was shot from behind and killed on 25 April 1983 by militants when he was coming out of Golden Temple after paying obeisance and with Karah Prasaad in his hands. He was unarmed. His dead body was left in open on the stairs of the temple for more than two hours. Finally the Chief Mnister of Punjab Darbara Singh requested Bhindranwale to let the police take the dead body.

He was awarded President Police Medal for Gallantry posthumously. He was survived by his wife and son. His wife Amrita Atwal later joined the Punjab Civil Services and thereafter was seconded to the IAS before her retirement. His son, Harbir Atwal also joined the Punjab Police as an Inspector, and was awarded the "Sword of Honour" during the Passing Out Parade.