CHICAGO: A wave of shock and anger shook the Sikh community of the area when an unidentified gunman shot dead a young folk singer Balwinder Singh Babbar critically injured his wife Sukhwinder Kaur and their daughter Sonia (12).This gruesome incident took place on Friday September 8, 1989 at 8:30 pm at their residence in Des Plaines. Balwinder Babbar succumbed to the two fatal shots and died at the spot. Later Sukhwinder Kaur and Sonia were rushed to the Holy Family Hospital Des Plaines, where they are stated to be out of danger.
According to the police the hit man who appeared to be a hired professional came to their residence in a limousine entered the house through a backside window and hid himself to wait for his target. The moment Balwinder Babbar entered the house along with his family and went upstairs to assist his ailing and aged father to the bathroom the hit man fired twice which struck into his head and proved fatal.
Mrs. Babbar meanwhile listening to these shots tried to call the police, The murderer fired two shots injuring her severely. These shots hit her in the chest and back. While fleeing the killer pointed his gun on Sonia and shot her in the abdomen. The aged and ailing parents of “Babbars” could hardly do anything and witnessed this gruesome scene as helpless spectators.
According to S. Ram Singh Suga Babbar’s brother in law (sister’s husband) told this correspondent that the Babbar family had no enmity with anybody in this area and they have no suspicion on any person about this tragic incident,
Later the friends, relatives and the members of the Sikh community of this area bid a touching and tearful farewell to their beloved hero and cremated him on Monday September 11, 1989 in accordance with Sikh rites.
Balwinder Singh Babbar was popular folk singer and was known as Gurdas Mann of America. His golden voice, submissive attitude and affectionate nature had earned him a distinguish position in the Sikh community of this area.
Babbar leaves behind his aged parents S. Gurbax Singh (78) Bibi Surjit Kaur 73, widow Sukhwinder Kaur (32), three daughters Sonia (12), Sandi (7) Babli (4) and a large circle of friends and relatives to moum his untimely death.
This gruesome incident attracted maximum attention of the media and was widely covered.
According to CBS the assailant was said to be of Asian origin. Moreover the pen sketch of the hit man resembles to an Indian or Pakistani, as released by the police.
Babbars originally belonged to Katra Karam Singh of Amritsar and migrated to USA in 1975.
The bhog of Sehjpath of Guru Granth Sahib will be performed on Saturday ie September 23, at 3:00 pm at Sikh temple Palestine.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 15, 1989
