Intelligence agencies have sounded an alert after a video purportedly released by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) surfaced on social media. The banned Sikh outfit allegedly called on Punjab-based gangsters to join hands to kill Indian Army officers who had led Operation Blue Star in 1984.
“Don’t kill the rising artist, if only bullets are to be fired. The Indian Army officer who led operation Blue Star, General Kuldeep Brar and Brigadier Israr Khan are enemies of the Sikh community and are responsible for the attack on the Swarna Temple, Amritsar 1984,” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, General Counsel of SFJ, is alleged to have said in the incendiary video uploaded on his social media platform. Lieutenant-General (Retd) Kuldeep Singh Brar, a prominent member of the team that led Operation Blue Star, was attacked in central London in 2012 but survived.
According to the input shared by intelligence agencies with security agencies and Punjab Police, SFJ has exhorted Punjab gangsters like Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Lawrence Bishnoi and Dilpreet Baba to join hands with them for Khalistan plebiscite and announced protection and reward for them.
With fears of revival of Khalistan movement in Punjab, as recent developments suggest, gripping the security agencies, the 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star was observed amid pro-Khalistan slogans and brandishing of swords in the air in Golden Temple in Amritsar.
A large number of people gathered outside the Golden Temple on Monday, on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, under a heavy posse of police, went about brandishing swords and shouting pro-Khalistan slogans. Many carried posters, banners and photographs of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. A call for bandh was also given by some Sikh organizations.
On this day in 1984, India Army had launched an operation to flush out Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers, who were holed up in the Golden Temple, the holiest shrines of the Sikhs. Many lives were lost in the week-long operation. Some part of the Golden Temple was also damaged.
In a related development, which may have far-reaching security for India, Shri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh made a statement which ran short of calling for arms. “We will openly train our people in arms. I don’t mind saying that other people give training secretly,” said the Akal Takht Jathedar. He further added, “Russia supported India at that time when it launched Operation Blue Star in 1984. That too is over today. Today churches and mosques are being built in every village. We have to propagate our religion. Otherwise, we will move away from our religion.”