Former Punjab Police chief, KPS Gill, who tackled militancy in the state, died of cardiac arrest at Gangaram hospital in Delhi this afternoon at the age of 82.<br/><br/>He played a key role in ending terrorism in Punjab. He was suffering from end stage kidney failure and significant heart disease. Gill joined the Indian Police Service in 1958 and retired in1995.<br/><br/>KPS Gill, known as a Supercop, had played a key role in ending the terrorism in Punjab. An IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre of the 1958 batch, during his two tenures as the Punjab DGP, Gill led from the front the fight against militancy.<br/><br/>In May 1988, he conducted the Operation Black Thunder-II with precision and transparency, without evoking public protest. Determined not to repeat the mistakes of June 1984,i nstead of sending the security forces in the Golden Temple complex, Gill laid a siege to the Golden Temple, positioned snipers on surrounding rooftops and literally starved out the militants by cutting away their electricity supply and refusing them even a drop of water from the Temple's 'sarovar'.<br/><br/>The operation culminated in the surrender by terrorists in the presence of media 10 days later on May 16, 1988. He was an author too. The Punjab Story and "Punjab, the Knights and Falsehood" were the popular books authored by him.Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers have condoled his death.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled his demise, saying he will be remembered for his service to the nation in areas of policing and security. <br/><br/>Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also expressed grief over Gill's passing away. She said he will be remembered for his steadfast fight against terrorism and restoration of peace and normalcy in Punjab.<br/><br/>Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he is saddened to learn of K P S Gill's demise. In his message, he said that Gill was known for his bravery and courage and he always inspired others by leading from the front.

Former Punjab Police chief, KPS Gill, who tackled militancy in the state, died of cardiac arrest at Gangaram hospital in Delhi this afternoon at the age of 82.<br/><br/>He played a key role in ending terrorism in Punjab. He was suffering from end stage kidney failure and significant heart disease. Gill joined the Indian Police Service in 1958 and retired in1995.<br/><br/>KPS Gill, known as a Supercop, had played a key role in ending the terrorism in Punjab. An IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre of the 1958 batch, during his two tenures as the Punjab DGP, Gill led from the front the fight against militancy.<br/><br/>In May 1988, he conducted the Operation Black Thunder-II with precision and transparency, without evoking public protest. Determined not to repeat the mistakes of June 1984,i nstead of sending the security forces in the Golden Temple complex, Gill laid a siege to the Golden Temple, positioned snipers on surrounding rooftops and literally starved out the militants by cutting away their electricity supply and refusing them even a drop of water from the Temple's 'sarovar'.<br/><br/>The operation culminated in the surrender by terrorists in the presence of media 10 days later on May 16, 1988. He was an author too. The Punjab Story and "Punjab, the Knights and Falsehood" were the popular books authored by him.Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers have condoled his death.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled his demise, saying he will be remembered for his service to the nation in areas of policing and security. <br/><br/>Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also expressed grief over Gill's passing away. She said he will be remembered for his steadfast fight against terrorism and restoration of peace and normalcy in Punjab.<br/><br/>Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he is saddened to learn of K P S Gill's demise. In his message, he said that Gill was known for his bravery and courage and he always inspired others by leading from the front.