CHANDIGARH: Punjab’s years of militancy continue to remain one of the most painful and controversial chapters in the state’s modern history. Historical records highlighted in a report published by Punjab Tribune indicate that between 1987 and 1993, Punjab witnessed 5,782 alleged police encounters, with 1992 emerging as the year that recorded the highest number of encounter killings.
According to the report, 1,399 alleged police encounters took place in 1992 alone, making it the deadliest year during the state’s counter-insurgency operations. The figures reflect the intensity of the conflict that engulfed Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when security forces and militant groups were engaged in a prolonged and violent confrontation.
The year-wise data published in the report shows a steady increase in the number of alleged encounters as militancy intensified across the state. In 1987, authorities recorded 410 encounters, followed by 461 in 1988 and 582 in 1989. The number increased further to 746 in 1990 before rising dramatically to 1,282 in 1991. The figure reached its highest point in 1992 with 1,399 alleged encounters, before declining to 571 in 1993, as the insurgency gradually subsided.
The report also provides district-wise statistics, indicating that Tarn Taran witnessed the highest number of alleged encounters, with 1,798 cases during the period under review. Sangrur followed with 962 encounters, while Amritsar recorded 794. Other districts that reported significant numbers included Kapurthala (650), Ferozepur (529), Gurdaspur (373) and Bathinda (292). These districts were among the principal theatres of the counter-insurgency campaign and witnessed frequent clashes between militants and security forces.
Interestingly, while the report’s headline refers to 5,782 alleged police encounters, the year-wise figures published in the accompanying table total 5,451 encounters. The discrepancy suggests that the newspaper may have relied on different official compilations or datasets, a matter that could require further historical clarification.
The issue of police encounters during Punjab’s militancy period has remained highly contentious for more than three decades. Numerous human rights organizations, civil liberties groups and families of victims have consistently alleged that a significant number of these encounters were staged or fake, claiming that individuals were detained, disappeared, and later shown as having been killed in armed exchanges with police forces.
These allegations have led to numerous petitions before courts and human rights bodies seeking investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Several families continue to pursue justice, maintaining that many of those killed never received a fair legal process and that the truth surrounding numerous deaths remains unresolved.
On the other hand, senior police officials who led the anti-militancy campaign have defended the operations. Former Punjab Director General of Police K.P.S. Gill, who headed the state’s police force during the peak of the insurgency, repeatedly argued that the extraordinary security situation required extraordinary measures. He maintained that the police acted to protect Punjab from a violent insurgency and restore peace after years of bloodshed.
The debate surrounding Punjab’s counter-insurgency campaign remains deeply divided. While many credit the police with ending militancy and restoring stability to the state, others continue to demand accountability for alleged human rights violations committed during that period. The differing narratives have ensured that the events of those years remain the subject of legal, academic and political discussion.
More than thirty years later, the figures highlighted in the report serve as a reminder of the enormous human cost of Punjab’s insurgency. They also underscore the importance of preserving historical records, encouraging independent research, and ensuring that future generations understand both the sacrifices made to restore peace and the unresolved questions surrounding allegations of extrajudicial killings and disappearances.