Labh Singh

Sukhdev Singh Dhillon (1952 – 12 July 1988), best known as General Labh Singh and also known as Sukha Sipahi and just Labh Singh, was a former Punjab police officer turned militant[1] who took command of the Khalistan Commando Force after its first leader, Manbir Singh Chaheru, was arrested in 1986.[2][3]

For the athlete, see Labh Singh (athlete).

Labh Singh
2nd Jathedar of Khalistan Commando Force
In office
9 August 1986 - 12 July 1988
Preceded byManbir Singh Chaheru
Succeeded byKanwaljit Singh Sultanwind
Jathedar of Keshgarh Sahib
In office
1988- 12 July 1988
Personal details
Born1952
Village Panjwar, Tarn Taran, India
Died12 July 1988
Tanda, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India
Signature
NicknameSukha Sipahi
Military service
RankGeneral
Battles/warsInsurgency in Punjab

He was an associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who did many actions with Surinder Singh Sodhi and fought against the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star.[4] He was involved in the assassination of retired Chief of Army Staff Arun Vaidya and the attack on the Director-General of the Punjab Police, Julio Francis Ribeiro. He was involved it multiple assassinations of police, and government officials as well as targeted attacks on Communists. He allegedly masterminded[5] what was then India's largest bank robbery,[6] taking almost Rs. 60 million (About 1.023 billion rupees in 2023. About $12.5 million USD in 2023) from the Punjab National Bank, Miller Gunj branch, Ludhiana, as well as many other robberies[6][7][8] which enabled the Khalistan Commando Force to buy weapons.[9]

Early life

Labh Singh's original name was Sukhdev Singh Dhillon He was also known as Sukha Sipahi.[10] He lived in the village of Panjwar, in Tehsil (sub-district) Patti in district Amritsar[11][12][13] and owned 9 acres (36,000 m2) of land.[11][14] He married Davinder Kaur.[15]

Punjab Police service

After finishing his education at Baba Buddha Sahib College,[16] Labh Singh joined the Punjab Police force[17] in 1971[18] and served the force until he left his job in 1982.[18][19] According to other sources he left his job in 1983.[20]

Actions under Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Influenced by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Labh Singh left the Punjab police in 1982 or 1983,[18][19] and joined the Sikh freedom movement.[17]

Killing Nirankari Star Resham Singh

On October 27, 1982, Labh Singh and Surinder Singh Sodhi killed Resham Singh. Resham was the Sant Nirankari head of Hoshiarpur District and 1 of the 7 Sant Nirankari stars which were the Sant Nirankari version of the Panj Pyare. Following the 1978 Sikh–Nirankari clash, which saw 13 Sikh killed and 150 injured,[21] Nirankari were expelled by the Akal Takht out of the Sikh fold and became a target of attacks.[22][23][24]

Sodhi and Labh Singh had disguised themselves as police. They had approached Resham posing as officers who just wanted to chat. As Resham was talking about Bhindranwale, supposedly negatively, Labh Singh and Sodhi pulled out stenguns and opened fire killing him instantly. It is said that Sodhi and Labh Singh fled on a Royal Enfield Bullet and fired victory shots.[25][26][24][27]

Killing Deputy Inspector General A.S. Atwal

On April 25, 1983, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) A.S. Atwal was killed while leaving the Golden Temple. In the killing 2 others were critically injured.[28][29] Labh Singh was involved in the killing.[30] After Atwal was killed his driver and bodyguards quickly escaped. Other units stationed nearby also fled instead of taking any action. His death was celebrated by the other militants in the Temple who fired victory shots.[31] His corpse remained there for hours. Only after Punjab Chief Minister Darbara Singh phone Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and got his permission was Atwal’s body recovered.[29] A possible reason why Labh Singh killed Atwal was because he had killed 1 of Jarnail Singh’s men and injured 3 other men.[32] Another possible reason could be that Atwal was accused by Bhindranwale of stripping a Sikh women and parading her while one of Atwal’s men held her by the breast.[33]

Attempted assassination of Inspector Harjit Singh

On May 1, 1983, Labh Singh and fellow militants through a grenade at Inspector Harjit Singh. Harjit survived the explosion, but it caused great damage to the surrounding area.[34] Bhindranwale had accused Harjit of being involved in multiple extrajudicial executions of Sikhs and a “drinker of Sikh blood”.[33]

Killing Inspector Bhagwan Singh Karianwala

On May 30, 1983, Surinder Singh Sodhi along with Major Singh Nagoke and Labh Singh killed Inspector Bhagwan Singh Karianwala. He was gunned down in Sultanpur Lodhi in a busy market while patrolling. Bhagwan was killed along with his gunmen, a police constable. Sodhi, Labh and Nagoke grabbed the guns of the killed policemen, those being a stengun and revolver. Bhagwan had been accused by Bhindranwale as being one of the leading officers in the torture of Sikhs.[35][36][37][38][39][40]

Killing Inspector Gurcharan Singh Sansi

On August 15, 1983, at around 1:15 PM Surinder Singh Sodhi, Major Singh Nagoke, and Labh Singh, from a motorcycle, opened fire on and killed Inspector Gurcharan Singh Sansi who was also on a motorcycle. Sansi was killed in Muktsar. Labh Singh had been targetting for Sansi for much time. On August 15 he saw Sansi. Labh Singh and fellow militants had driven beside Sansi. Sodhi drove the motorcycle while Nagoke, and Labh Singh shot Sasi. His gunmen a police constable was shot, but managed to survive in an injured state. Both of their weapons were taken by Sodhi. Sodhi, Nagoke, and Labh Singh who drove away shouting "Bole so Nihal; Sat Sri Akal". Sansi had been accused of killing and "drinking the blood" of Sikhs by Bhindranwale. He was accused of being the leading officer in the torture of Sikhs.[41][42][43][44][45]

A lyric from a famous dhadi ballad about this translates to, "3 Singhs of the Guru came like a horse; At the opportunity they came to Mukhtsar and brought freedom; A new flag has been flown by the motorcyclewale. (Literally those who ride motorcycles; referring to Kharkus) Sansi was put on the car of death by motorcyclewale; Sansi was put on the train of death by the motorcyclewale."[46]

Killing Sergeant Makhan Singh

On September 26, 1983, Makhan Singh, a Sergeant of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surjit Singh, was killed in Putlighar area of Amritsar outside of a hotel by Surinder Singh Sodhi and Labh Singh. Makhan had made his way to a hotel where Labh Singh and Sodhi were in disguise. Labh Singh and Sodhi had been hunting Makhan for some time. Sodhi upon recognising Makhan shouted, ”Makhan, run if you can, we have come to finish you off.” Makhan was shot in the shoulder by Labh Singh. He ran out of the hotel and attempted to flee, but failed to do so and was killed outside with a spray of bullets in his head and chest. Sodhi and Labh Singh made a quick getaway. Police conducted multiple searches to find them, but they proved futile. Makhan had been on hit list of militants for much time. Makhan had been named by Sant Jarnail Singh as someone who was an enemy of Sikhs. He was also accused of being part of the torture and extrajudicial execution of Kulwant Singh Nagoke. Jarnail Singh accused him of 13 extrajudicial killings.[47][48][33][49][26][27][50][51][52][53]

A famous lyric from a Kavishari song about this incident translates to, “Makhan was doing great sins regularly; his death came beautifully.”[26][54]

Attack on DSP Gurbachan Singh

On October 29, 1983, Surinder Singh Sodhi with Makhan Singh Babbar and Labh Singh attacked retired DSP (Deputy Superintenat of Police) Gurbachan Singh also known as Bachan Singh. Gurbachan was at a shop owned by his son.[55][56]Sodhi and the others first disguised themselves as police officers. They then made their way to Gurbachan.[55] Sodhi, Makhan, and Labh attacked Gurbachan and his security with stenguns. The attack turned into a 30 minute shootout with a constable and salesmen being killed. A head constable, Karnail Singh, would later die of his wounds. Gurbachan lived by taking cover and playing dead.[57][58][59] Surinder Singh Sodhi was injured in the attack. Makhan Singh was also injured in the attack and would receive blood from Manbir Singh Chaheru to live.[59] Gurbachan Singh had tortured Amrik Singh[60]He also had tortured Kulwant Singh Nagoke and after killed him in an extrajudicial execution.[61] He was also involved in other extrajudicial executions. He had been named by Jarnail Singh as an enemy of the Panth and someone who, "..drank Sikh blood".[62]

Attack on Deputy Speaker Ved Pal

On March 9, 1984 Labh Singh along with Surinder Singh Sodhi, and Gurmit Singh alias Sukha attacked the motorcade of Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Ved Pal. Ved Pal was attacked when he was going from Delhi to Karnal. MLA Shanti Devi was along with Ved Pal at the time of the attack. Labh Singh and his associates opened fire from a motorcycle with stenguns. The driver was killed, and a gunman seriously injured. Others escaped with minor injuries.[63][64]

Killing BJP MLA Harbans Lal Khanna

On April 2, 1984, Surinder Singh Sodhi[65] along with Labh Singh[30] killed former MLA Harbans Lal Khanna in his shop in Amritsar. Khanna was the BJP district president at the time. His bodyguard and 1 or 2 customers of his shop were also killed. Sodhi and Labh Singh also burned down a police jeep by Khanna’s shop.[66][67] Sodhi and Labh Singh had posed as police officers. Sodhi waited outside on a motorcycle as Labh Singh entered the shop. Labh Singh opened fire with a stengun killing Khann’s bodyguard and others, all of whom wete sitting. Khanna shouted frantically. Labh Singh said, “Dhoti, topi (hat), at Yamuna. Long live Khalistan.” He then killed Khanna.[26][68][69][70][71]

Khanna had raised slogans translating to, “We are not going to let any second or third group exist, we are not going to let a turban remain on any head; the kacchera, the kara, the kirpan, send these to Pakistan".[66][72][73] In February 1984 he led a mob that destroyed a replica of the Golden Temple at Amristar railway station and put feces and lit cigarettes on a painting of Guru Ram Das which had been on display for many years.[66] All of this had made him a prime target for Sikhs.[67]

The killing of Khanna led to a 48 hour curfew in Amritsar and paramilitary and army deployment to the city. Soon rioting also broke out.[74] The riots left at least 7 dead.[75]

A famous lyric from a Kavishari song about this incident translates to, “Jago (Referring to Sikh revolution) made Harbans Lal Khanna spill red. Don’t go against the words of Singhs. Those who did have been “taught”(killed). Kara, kachera, will remain here; Your (Harbnas Lal Khanna) evening has been brought. Jago has arrived; From where did it come; From Bhindranwale Sant; The motorcyclewale have moved it forward”.[26][54]

Pursuing CM Bhajan Lal

Labh Singh and Sodhi were given the duty of killing Bhajan Lal the Chief Minister of Haryana by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Bhajan Lal had started the construction of SYL which was opposed by Sikh. Bhajan Lal as head of the Haryana government in November 1982 had Sikh indiscriminately stopped, searched, and humiliated who planned to hold a protest at the Delhi Asia Games.[76][77] Bhindranwale blamed Bhajan Lal for rioting against Sikh in Haryana during early 1984. The rioting saw the burning of 24 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, 6 Gurdwaras, shaving 125 Sikh, and stripping 3 Sikh girls. All of this made Bhajan Lal a key target.[78][79][80] Once Sodhi, and Labh were in range of shooting Bhajan Lal, but had been ordered to chop off Bhajan Lal's head by Bhindranwale. Because of there devotion to honour Bhindranwale's words they left Bhajan Lal.[81] Before being able to assassinate Bhajan Lal Sodhi would he killed. Bhindranwale would later claim that Bhajan Lal would be killed if Sodhi lived 15 days more.[79]

Revenge for Surinder Singh Sodhi

On April 14, 1984 Surinder Singh Sodhi, one of Labh Singh’s closest friends and the “right-arm” of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was killed while drinking tea in a shop in Amritsar.[82][83] Sodhi was killed by a men and a women. The women, Baljit Kaur, would go to the Golden Temple after the killing and confessed to the murder.[84] Baljit Kaur would be interrogated by Bhidnranwale. She would admit to the other killer being her boyfriend Surinder Singh Shinda and to being payed by Gurcharan Singh, the general secretary of Akali Dal, to do the killing. She also implicated others.[82] Bhindranwale vowed to avenge the killing.[85] With this Labh Singh and fellow militants made their way to punish who they deemed the culprits. Labh Singh and others killed Surinder Singh Shinda. He was chopped into 7 pieces for shooting Sodhi 7 times. He was killed within 24 hours of Bhindranwale vowing vengence.[82][86][26][87][88]

Amritsar bank robbery

On April 23, 1984, Labh Singh and fellow militants robbed 44,583 rupees (About 12,000 USD) from Punjab and Sind bank in Amritsar. It was described as a “clean-operation” while also being described as “spontaneous”.[89][90][91]

Killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurbachan Singh

On April 30, 1984, retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gurbachan Singh, also known as Bachan Singh, was killed along with his wife, daughter, and a gunmen in Amritsar.[92][93] The killers were Labh Singh and Major Singh Nagoke.[30][94] Gurbachan Singh had survived 4 previous attacks on his life and was a prime target of Sikhs.[95] Gurbachan Singh had tortured Amrik Singh[96] He also had tortured Kulwant Singh Nagoke and after killed him in a extrajudicial execution.[97] He was also involved in other extrajudicial executions. He had been named by Jarnail Singh as an enemy of the Panth and someone who, “..drank Sikh blood”.[98]

A famous lyric from a kavishari ballad about this translates to, “The sinner DSP Gurbachan became the target of Jago; (Sikh revolution) The sinner DSP Gurbachan became the target of Jago; The sinner was bound to die; That saala (Inbreeder) was bound to die he sat with his family; The sinner was going to die; he sat with his family; Jago has cleaned the world of the wife, niece, son.”[54]

Attempted assassination of former CM Darbara Singh

According to an alleged confession by a militant in May, 1984, Labh Singh and fellow militants led by Amarjeet Singh Chawla plotted to assassinate former Chief Minister of Punjab Darbara Singh. The militants began to spy on Darbara and collected intel about his routine and movement is Delhi. On May 9 Labh and co obtained weapons and money for the assassination from Bhindranwale who said Chalwa would lead the militants. The weapons obtained were 1 stengun and 3 magazines for it. 2 .30 pistols, one .38 revolver and ammunition for it. Labh Singh and other miltants began looking for Darbara, but before assassinting him militants involved in the plot were arrested and they were ordered to scrap the assassination by Harminder Singh Sandhu.[99]

Killing of Ramesh Chander

On May 12, 1984,[100] Labh Singh, Gursewak Singh Babla,[101] Gurinder Singh and Swaranjit Singh were accused of killing Hind Samachar newspaper group editor Ramesh Chander,[102] who was an outspoken critic of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale[103] and had written that Punjab had "become a slaughterhouse." Chander was killed in a busy intersection in Jalandhar.[104] In a call to an Amritsar news agency Dashmesh Regiment claimed responsibility for the killing.[105]

Operation Blue Star

During Operation Blue Star, Labh Singh fought against the Indian Army with other Sikh militants. His family was in the langar hall.[4] He was arrested by the army after the operation.[106]

Khalistan Commando Force

Jailbreak

6 people were killed, and more injured, in a violent attack on the District court in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.[107][108][109][110][111][112] Accounts of the attack, reported on 6 April 1986 in the US, differed.[102] According to an unidentified source in Mahmood's "Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants", the attack was made by Sikh militant leader Manbir Singh Chaheru and his associates.[113]

"The Courier" of Arizona, US, carried a story attributed to UPI stating that 3 "Sikh terrorists" killed 3 police officers who were taking 3 prisoners to a bathroom, while "16 armed court guards cowered in fear". The report stated that 2 police holding a 4th prisoner were also gunned down, and that "Three other officers, a lawyer, and a bystander were wounded as the Sikhs sprayed the area for 15 minutes." Police said that the guards were too frightened to return fire. This fourth suspect remained in custody. Finally, the Courier article reported that the Sikhs looted "three rifles and a submachine gun" from the dead bodies, and that a 6th officer later succumbed to wounds from the attack.[114]

The "Wilmington Morning Star" carried an AP story, and related that 3 "Sikh extremists" killed 4 police officers inside the District Court complex, killed two officers who "were shot at the courtyard gate as the attackers fled", and wounded 4 other individuals, including a lawyer. The Star identified the freed suspects as Labh Singh, Gurinder Singh, and Swaranjit Singh, who were to appear in court on charges of slaying Ramesh Chander, a Hindu newspaper editor. The Star reported that District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said 4 attackers fired over a compound wall from a lane. It further reported that others witnessed the attackers open fire from close range as police led the prisoners to the toilet. The report concluded with District Police Chief Baljit Singh Sandhu's statement that the attackers hard "fired at least 50 rounds" in the attack.[102]

The "Eugene Register-Guardian" reported that District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said in a telephone interview that 3 or more attackers opened fire as 4 defendants accused of the May 1984 slaying of Ramesh Chander, were being led into the compound, and that the attackers took 3 rifles from the slain police. [112]

The “Associated Press” reported District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said in a telephone interview Sikh militants had killed 6 police officers and wounded 4 including a lawyer in an attack on the District Court in Jalandhar. They freed 3 prisoners accused of killing.[115]

This single incident became a basis of Roberio's "Bullet for bullet" policy.[116]

Jalandhar bank robbery

According to Harjinder Singh Jinda after Labh Singh was free they both met each other in Jalandhar along with Chaheru. Chaheru had told them that they were in urgent need of money. Labh Singh and Jinda told Chaheru that they would get the cash in a week. They began to scout banks in Jalandhar and selected one to rob. 3 days later at 11 in the morning Labh Singh, Jinda, and others robbed the bank of 1,250,000 rupees. (250,000 USD)[117][118]

KCF leadership

After KCF's first leader, Manbir Singh Chaheru was arrested, disappeared and presumed dead, Labh Singh took over the leadership of Khalistan Commando Force.[1][3]

One unnamed author speculated in "Genesis of terrorism: an analytical study of Punjab terrorists" that Labh Singh "perhaps" maintained his links with Babbar Khalsa International.[10]

Labh Singh untied KCF and made KCF into a “cohesive” and “hierarchical” group. Labh Singh also appointed 6 Lieutenant-Generals who over saw specific territories and led the KCF activities there.[119]

Assassination of General Vaidya

In 1984, General Arun Vaidya had planned and supervised[120] Operation Blue Star – a controversial military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India,[121] in order to flush out a group of heavily armed Sikh militants in June 1984 at the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs.

General Vaidya had moved to Pune after his retirement from the army. On 10 August 1986, General Arun Vaidya was shot and killed by Jinda and Sukha while he was driving his car home from the market.[122] According to the police, the assailants pulled up next to his car on motor scooters and fired eight or nine shots into the car.[123] Vaidya reportedly died instantly of head and neck wounds. His wife, who was also in the car, was wounded by four bullets in her back and thighs.[124] According to Indian intelligence sources, Vaidya had been the number four assassination target on lists by Sikh militants and he was one of several people killed in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.[125][126] Following the assassination, the Khalistan Commando Force issued a statement declaring that Vaidya had been killed in retaliation for the Operation Blue Star.[125]

Attempted Assassination of Khushwant Singh

After killing General Vaidya Harjinder Singh Jinda, one of the assassins under Labh Singh, made his way to Khushwant Singh who had been on the hit list of Sikhs for his comments against Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Jinda made his way to Delhi and entered Khushwant’s apartment. Jinda drank some water and look at Khushwant’s sitting room. Jinda then trailed Khushwant to Kasauli, but decided to leave him after feeling he was being shadowed.[127]

Revenge for Manbir Singh’s arrest

Manbir Singh was arrested on 8 August 1986. Manbir Singh would later be executed in an extrajudicial killing by police. Manbir was the first head of KCF and had broken Labh Singh out of prison. Sarbjit Singh Ropar who was responsible for Manbir Singh’s arrest and the acting chairperson for a faction of All India Sikh Student Federation was kidnapped by KCF on August 28. He was interrogated by Labh Singh and revealed his hand in the arrest and his fathers who was a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He also revealed his hand in the arrests of Tarsem Singh Kohar and Waryam Singh. He was soon executed by Labh Singh along with Hardeep Sahota, and Hans Raj Ghuman. Hardeep and Hans were also involved in the arrest of multiple militants and Manbir Singh.[128][129]

In December 1986, 4 moths after Manbir Singh’s arrest, a police informant who caused Manbir's arrest was allegedly killed by the KCF. He was killed along with his wife and 2 of his children. A third child was wounded.[130]

Assassination of Judge R.P. Gaind

On September 1, 1986 Labh Singh[30] assassinated Additional District and Sessions Judge R.P. Gaind. He was shot 4 times dead in a store while on the phone. His wife and daughter watched the killing. This shooting put secure forces on high alert across Punjab. He had been receiving death threats over his verdict on a case prating to Sodhal Mandir in Jalandhar. A room of it was used by Sikhs for worship. Sikhs demanded the room that was used for Sikh worship become a Gurdwara.[131][132][133]

Early bank robberies

In September 1986 KCF members under Labh Singh robbed a bank in Talwara. The bank manager was killed and 29,000 rupees (386,000 rupees in 2023. 4,700 USD in 2023) was stolen.[134]

On September 29, 1986, KCF members under Labh Singh robbed a bank in Tar Taran Sahib. The bank manager was killed.[135]

In October 1986 Labh Singh personally led a bank robbery in Talwara at the State Bank of India. According to police 4 Sikhs robbed the bank and 2 people were killed and another 2 wounded. The robbery occurred in broad daylight. 2,000,000 rupees were stolen. Which is equivalent to $176,000 USD at the tome. (About 27,000,000 rupees in 2023. About $488,000 USD in 2023)[136][137]

In October 1986 Labh Singh and his fellow militants robbed 1,023,000 rupees (2023 20,392,784 rupees or 2023 US $250,000) from a bank in Ludhiana.[138]

In October 1986 Labh Singh and his fellow militants robbed 800,000 rupees (10,650,000 rupees in 2023. 130,000 USD in 2023) from the Millar Ganj branch of the Punjab National Bank, Ludhiana.[139]

Attack on Director General of Punjab Police

On 3 October 1986, 6 men[140] identified in the press as Sikh militants in police uniforms attacked Director General of Punjab Police Julio Francis Ribeiro inside his Punjab Armed Police headquarters in the city of Jalandhar, with automatic weapons.[141] According to Ribeiro he was strolling with his wife when Sikh militants in a jeep disguised as a police one asked to inspect a guards gun. The guards gave the gun for inspection. Soon 3 Sikh began climbing the wall and sprayed fire. After 2 minutes of fire they fled. Throughout all of this no officer returned fire or attempted to chase the Sikh.[140] One guard was killed, and Ribeiro, his wife, and four other officers were injured. Ribeiro's wound was minor, but his wife was hospitalized.[142][143][144][145] Khalistan Commando Force later claimed responsibility for this attack.[146] KCF leader Labh Singh allegedly led the attack.[147][148] Harjinder Singh Jinda was also part of the group that attacked Riberio.[149]

Attack on Police

In November 1986 in a phone call to news organisations Labh Singh claimed responsibility for the killing of 4 members of a police patrol near Amritsar.[150]

Assassination of Doctor Kalicharan Sharma

In November 1986 Jinda and fellow KCF members killed Congress leader Doctor Kalicharan Sharma in Ludhiana. He was a major leader of Hindus. Sharma had been a critic of the Punjabi Suba movement, and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.[151][152]

Killing DSP Rashpal Singh

In late 1986 KCF members led by Labh Singh killed DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) in his home along with his son as they both slept. After killing him they stole his stengun. The DSP had been accused of harassing Sikhs and families of militants.[153]

Assassination of Inspector General Trilok Chand Katoch

On January 11, 1987, Jinda and a fellow militant of the Khalistan Commando Force assassinated Inspector General Trilok Chand Katoch. A note was left stamped by Labh Singh taking responsibility and warning other officers.[154] Katoch was killed in 3 shoots near his home in Chandigarh. Jinda and another fled on a scooter. Katoch was the highest ranking police official to be killed up to that point.[155] Katoch was one in charge of Punjab Prisons until late 1986 when he was put in charge of “overseeing internal discipline and enforcing administrative rules”. KCF claimed responsibility in a phone call and threatened to strike again.[156] Jinda reavled the reasons why Katoch was assassinated in his letters. According to him Katoch had tortured Sikhs and falsely imprisoned them. Most notably he tortured Nachitar Singh Rode, the assassin of Lala Jagat Narain.[152]

India's biggest bank robbery

In February 1987 Labh Singh allegedly masterminded[5] what was at that time the largest bank robbery in Indian history, netting almost 60 million (58 million rupees About 1.023 billion rupees in 2023. - US $4.5 million About US $12.5 million in 2023) from the Millar Ganj branch of the Punjab National Bank, Ludhiana;[5] a part of this stolen money belonged to the Reserve Bank of India, India's central bank.[6][7] It was documented as the "Biggest Bank Robbery" under "Curiosities and wonders" in the Limca Book of Records.[157] The loot enabled the Khalistan Commando Force to buy sophisticated weapons[158] and AK-47 rifles.[9] Sikh militants often used bank robberies to finance their campaign against the Indian government.[6]

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that "12 to 15 Sikhs dressed as policemen and armed with submachine guns and rifles escaped with nearly $4.5 million in the biggest bank robbery in Indian history." "No one was injured." A Police spokesman described it as "a neat and clean operation".[7]

Khalistan Commando Force members who allegedly participated in the robbery included Harjinder Singh Jinda, Mathra Singh,[159] Paramjit Singh Panjwar,[160] Satnam Singh Bawa,[161] Gurnam Singh Bundala,[162] Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Daljit Singh Bittu,[163][164][165] Gursharan Singh Gamma[163][164] and Pritpal Singh.[166]

Freeing Harjinder Singh Jinda

On March 30, 1987 Harjinder Singh Jinda, who had assassinated Lalit Maken, Arjun Dass, General Vaidya, and others, was being transported by police. 15 KCF members, who were armed with submachine guns and pistols, surrounded a rouge police van and blocked the front and back with two vehicles. They demanded Jinda be released or they would open fire. Jinda was released and the militants fled.[167][168]

Sikh moral code

In late March 1987 KCF issued a 13 policy Sikh moral code which all were to adhere to. The polices were to end dancing at weddings, end music at weddings, end to the wearing of non-traditional clothing, no tweezing of eyebrows for girls, no snipping of beards for boys, no baraats that include more than 11 people, no participation in Hindu jagratas or all-night prayers, no associating with Radhasoami Sikhs, no school uniforms that are not saffron black, and white and the end of the sale and consumption of meat, alcohol and tobacco.[169][170]

Those who did not respect the law were warned that they would be burnt alive. The code was largely followed. Sikh women began wearing traditional clothing and many meat, alcohol, and tobacco shops closed. Many restaurants brought in vegetarian items to the menu. Some did not follow the decree which put them in danger. Those who did not follow were forced to either pay off Sikhs or get security. Sikh leaders generally supported the decree. The enforcement of the decree in its first 2 months resulted in at least 6 killed, 60 shops burned, and complete or partial closure of 1,500 businesses.[170][169]

One survey found that there were no meat or cigarette shops between Amritsar and Phagwara. Famous restaurants that served meat had removed it from their menu and denied ever serving it.[169]

According to Assistant Deputy Inspector General of Police in Jalandhar A.S. Siddiqui the moral code had great popular among Sikhs especially those living in the rural area. He said, “Women seem to be pleased with it and there is also the fact that the AISSF has been on a massive recruitment drive through their amrit prachar (preaching of Sikh baptism) meetings. There is one meeting a day in the state, and after every meeting an estimated 200 youths pledge themselves to the service of the panth."[169]

Militants justified the moral code by saying, "No avatars, Hindu or Sikh, ever did these things. To eat meat is the job of rakshasas (demons) and we don't want people to become rakshasas."[169]

Court Attack

On April 27, 1987 KCF members attacked a court in Amritsar and freed 3 KCF members, Ranjit Singh Rana, Kanwarjit Singh, and Rajbinder Singh. KCF members drove two vans into the guarded court complex and opened fire on officers transporting prisoners. The attack lasted 3 minutes with the KCF members spraying the police with bullets. No KCF members was hurt. One unidentified rickshaw puller was killed and 2 officers were seriouslly wounded.[171][172]

Later bank robbery

On May 5, of 1987 KCF members under Labh Singh robbed 850,000 rupees (10,400,000 rupees in 2023. 126,500 USD in 2023) from the Bank of India branch in Guru Amar Das market.[173]

Killing of Soldiers

On July 6, 1987, Labh Singh led KCF members who killed 75 Indian Army soldiers involved in Operation Blue Star and injured many more. Labh Singh and other KCF members first attack soldiers being transported by bus in Haryana killing around 40 soldiers and injuring around 30. Next they attacked and killed 35 soldiers in Fatehbad and injured others who were also being transported by bus.[174]

Killing of Darshan Singh

On July 14, 1987, retired Head Constable Darshan Singh was killed in his field in Miarpur, Gurdaspur. Darshan, before retiring, was the bodyguard of DSP Gurbachan who Labh Singh had killed. Darshan had also been accused by Bhindranwale of killing innocent Sikhs.[175][176]

Attack on Sulakhan Singh

On September 21, 1987 Sulakhan Singh revealed that he had been attacked and left for dead. Sulakhan was a senior priest of the Golden Temple. He had been suspected of being a police informant. KCF members under Labh Singh and Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTKF) members under Gurbachan Singh Manochahal beat him with iron rods and sharp weapons. He suffered many wounds, but none were life threatening. Sulakhan denied being a police informant. Sulakhan also had police security.[177]

Killing police informants
  • On January 12, 1987 KCF claimed responsibility for the killing of Mohinder Kaur, her two daughters, and a house worker for being police informants.[178]
  • On March 30, 1988, KCF killed Naranjan Singh in Dilwan for being a police informant.[179]

Killing of Communists

Communists were targeted by many Sikh militant organizations and leaders. They were especially targeted by Labh Singh. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale called them the "arch enemies of the panth,"[180]

  • In September 1986 KCF, whose leader was Labh Singh, killed Darshan Singh Canadian an MLA and party leader of the Communist Party of India.[181] Darshan Singh opposed Sikh militants and Khalistan supporting NRI Sikhs. He actively campaigned against both.[182]
  • In September 1986 KCF members under Labh Singh also killed Baldev Singh Mann. He was a left-wing activist of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) New Democracy. He was a state level leader of Kirti Kisan Union and the editor of Hirawal Dasta[183][184] Baldev was gunned down by 4 men in his home village near Amritsar. He was walking with his brother who escaped unhurt.[185][181]
  • On February 16, 1987, Harjinder Singh Jinda killed Communist Party of India (Marxist) veteran leader and MLA Chanan Singh near Hoshiarpur. In a letter to the media Jinda said that Dhoot committed blasphemy and spoke out against Sikhs.[186][187]
  • On May 19, 1987 Gurdeep Singh Deepa and other KCF members under Labh Singh killed Deepak Dhawan who was the State Committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Dhawan was riding his scooter near Sanghe. KCF members approached him and told him to try and run. He tried to run, but they shot him as he tried.[188][189][190][191][192]
  • On July 22, 1987 KCF members under Labh Singh entered the farmhouse of Swaran Singh a official and vice president of the Amritsar district of the Communist Party of India. They went to where he slept with his family and opened fire. Swaran Singh, his wife. his mother, and his daughter were all killed in the fire. Swaran Singh's two other daughters were wounded, but his 5 year old son was unhurt. They also opened fire at the porch killing a worker, and injuring two others. A note was left claiming responsibility and saying it was over Swaran Singh's protests against the Sikh militants and Khalistan.[193][194]
  • Under Labh Singh in 1987 KCF members on motorcycles shot dead Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Dr. Gurdial Singh.[195][196]
  • On March 13, 1988 at Kalchian, 25 kilometres from Amritsar, 4 KCF members stormed the homes of Communist Party of India members. The 2 party members were taken by them and were forced to disclose the location of the village head. After reaching the home of the village leader the 2 party members were killed along with the village leader. The village leader was killed for his support of Rajiv Gandhi and participation in anti Khalistan rallies organised by Gandhi.[197]
  • On March 17, 1988 Jaimal Singh Padha was assassinated by KCF members under Labh Singh. He was a leader of the Kirti Kisan Union, a Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation front. Jaimal had written against religious communalism which angered Sikh militants. In one of his essays, he also spoke against Khalistan.[198]
  • On March 23, 1988 Pash, whose real name was Avtar Singh Sandhu, was killed by KCF members under Labh Singh. Pash was a supporter of the "ultra leftist Naxalite movement". He would write in support of communism and was a vocal critic of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Labh Singh is said to have regretted this killing in his diary.[199][200][201]

Death and aftermath

In June 1988, the Panthic committee appointed Labh Singh a high priest,[106] but on 12 July 1988 he was killed[202][203] in an encounter with police near Tanda, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.[106][204][205][206] He had a bounty of 100,000 rupees at the time. (Around 1,120,000 rupees in 2023. Around 14,000 USD in 2023)[30]

At that time, he was wanted in relation to the murder of a dozen policemen, newspaper editor Ramesh Chander, and an attempt on the former Punjab Police Chief Julio Francis Ribeiro.[106] Amritsar Police Superintendent Suresh Arora said "We have broken the back of the KCF. Sukhdev Singh was the most dreaded of the terrorists."[106]

A 8 page note found on the dead body of Labh Singh had said that militants need to target politicians and officers and not innocent civilians. The not also said, “Achieving Khalistan will be no joke. It will not be a short period simple affair… "We should restrict our targets to political leaders, police officers and their informers and to those staunchly opposed to Khalistan.”[207]

The Tribune of India carried a report of a neighbor's statement that, after his death, many of his family emigrated to Canada, though his father-in-law stayed on in Labh Singh's house. The neighbor further stated that the father-in-law committed suicide after police beat him "mercilessly", and that the house then remained deserted for several years, but that finally it has been taken over by his relatives.[17]

Upon news of Labh Singh's death Gurbachan Singh Manochahal and Wassam Singh Zaffarwal issued statements saying," In the struggle begun by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale to liberate the Sikh nation, General Bhai Labh Singh sacrificed his life. The bhog ceremony and Akhand Path will take place in his native village Panjwar, near Jhabal, on the 21st. We appeal to all sangats to attend the bhog ceremony in large numbers."[208]

Avtar Singh Brahma and Sukhdev Singh Babbar issued statements saying, "'One who dies in the battlefield is great. One who runs away takes birth again and again.' General Bhai Labh Singh acted on the words 'In the end one has to sacrifice one's life in the battlefield when all other means have failed.' The bhog ceremony and Akhand path will take place in his native village of Panjwar 21 July 1988. We appeal to the Sarbat Khalsa to attend the last Ardas of this brave soldier."[208]

After Labh Singh’s death many Ardas and bhogs were done across the globe by Sikh diaspora.[209]

Kanwaljit Singh Sultanwind succeeded Labh Singh as leader of the KCF.[13]

Following Labh Singh’s death Gian Surjit Singh, a well known dhadi, wrote and composed a tribute to Labh Singh which sold very well. It was sung in Gurdwaras and Sikh camps for youth all across England.[210] The main verse of the song translated to, “In place of 7 bullets we will blow up 100 bombs. By getting revenge for Labh Singh we will show them.”[210]

The Tribune India reported in July 2006 that a Bhog (Sikh religious ceremony) for Labh Singh was held "in the past few months".[211]

See also

Footnotes
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References
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