Toofan Singh

In 1984, he was emotionally affected by the news of Operation Blue Star. He begin to believe that he has to do something about the alleged atrocities against Sikhs. In his younger days, he spent some days in the Nabha Jail. In the jail, he met with Manbir Singh Chaheru and Baldev Singh. Baldev Singh told Jugraj that he should avoid getting into these fights since he is the only son of his family, however, Jugraj would not change his path.[6]

In 1987 Toofan Singh broke out of Hoshiarpur Jail.[7]

In 1987, he came into contact with Avtar Singh Brahma the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force and he would fight under him. Toofan Singh's name first appeared in the complaint registered to Punjab Armed Police Headquarters concerning the murder of police officer Gobind Ram as the major prepatrator. On one hand Singh had support from Sikh society, and on other hand police forces would continue trailing him.[8]

In 1988 Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala took over KLF.[9] He made Toofan Singh Lieutenant General of KLF.[7] He would later rise to Deputy Chief of KLF.[10]

Toofan Singh was noted to have provided protection to the villagers from attacks and extortion by criminal gangs, terrorist groups and the police.[11]

In a meeting with top KLF leaders, including Budhsinghwala and Navroop Singh, in Sri Hargobindpur Toofan Singh took responsibility for an explosion at a liquor store in Batala. 15 people were killed, 50 were injured, 4 shops were blown up, and 1 van was blown up in the explosion.[12]

At Sri Hargobindpur Toofan Singh and 5 others attacked a police party on November 1, 1988. In the attack 1 Sergeant was wounded, and 1 Constable was also wounded.[13]

In December 1988, near Sri Hargobindpur, Toofan Singh and others attack SHO (Station House Officer) Swaran Singh and officers with him. No one was hurt in the attack.[13]

Commandant Gobind Ram was killed on January 10, 1990. Gobind Ram was killed in a bomb blast at the headquarters of the 75th battalion of the Punjab Armed Police in Jalandhar. He was commandant of the 75th battalion. According to an informant Gobind Ram's body had to be swept off the floor. The planning of the killing and teg killing was done by Toofan Singh and Babbar Khalsa members. The bomb was planted in the cooler of his office. In the blast, 3 others, including Sub Inspector Prem Kumar, were killed and at least 4 were critically wounded. The blast also caused major damage to the building. All the windows of the second floor were broken and a fire broke out on the first floor. Multiple vehicles parked were also damaged. Gobind Ram was known as the "butcher". He was known involved in 38 extrajudicial executions. He had been on the hit list of Sikhs over his role in fake encounters. He had also beat and tortured the wives of Sikhs. He was also known for forcing people to drink urine calling it "Gobind Ram's amrit".[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

On 8 April 1990, Singh was killed in a village near Hargobindpur, after police and BSF surrounded his home. According to police records, he was allegedly involved in 150 killings.[24] Director General of Police K. P. S. Gill dubbed it as the biggest accomplishment of police the whole year.[7]

Police refused to return Toofan’s dead body. Because of this 20,000 people surrounded Hargobindpur police headquarters demanding the body be handed over. The police complied.[25]

On the day of his cremation it is estimated that almost 400,000 people were gathered to pay him the last tribute.[26][27][6]