Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala

Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala (29 June 1966 – 29 July 1992) was the third chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force.

Bhai
Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala
Shaheed
2nd Jathedar of Malwa Kesri Commando Force
Preceded byWaryam Singh Khappianwali
Succeeded byNone (merged with Khalistan Liberation Force)
3rd Jathedar of Khalistan Liberation Force
Preceded byAvtar Singh Brahma
Succeeded byNavneet Singh Quadia
Personal details
Born29 June 1966 (1966-06-29)
Village Budhsinghwala, Faridkot district Punjab (Now Moga district), India
Died29 July 1992(1992-07-29) (aged 26)
Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Known for
  • Attacks and Killings of Police, Paramilitary, and Army
  • Attacks and Killings of Various Politicians
  • Attack at Nehru Park killing 25 and injuring 31-35 mostly Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members
  • Kidnapping son of Superintendent of Police Des Raj
  • Kidnapping Romanian charge d’affaires Lividu Radu
NicknameBudhsinghwala
Military service
AllegianceKhalistan Liberation Force
Malwa Kesri Commando Force
Years of service1984 - 1992
RankGeneral
Jathedar
Battles/warsInsurgency in Punjab

He has been accused of planning and carrying out attacks that killed over 1,000 people.[1]

Early life and family

Gurjant Singh was born in the village of Budhsinghwala, Faridkot district (Modern day Moga district) on the 29 June 1966. He had four siblings — one sister and three brothers. He was learned, although after being tortured by the police multiple times and his family members tortured as well, as he was a religious Amritdhari Sikh, he joined the KLF in 1986.[2]

Another factor that contributed to his joining of KLF was the killing of 8 Sikhs on April 6, 1984, at Bibi Kahan Kaur Gurdwara in Moga by CRPF, BSF, and Punjab police. Among the dead was Budhsinghwala's grand uncle.[3][4]

Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Moga was attacked as part of Operation Blue Star in June 1984. He was in the Gurdwara during the Operation and would be arrested. He was kept in jail for 2 years and was released after his case came to court.[4]

Early militancy

Budhsinghwala's first action was the killing Sarpanch Dhana Singh. Dahana had aided the police in the arrest of many Sikhs and was a police informant. Budhsinghwala along with his cousin Jaga Singh and older brother Kulwant Singh killed Dahana. Jaga and Kulwant were arrested and put in Faridkot jail over this incident. Gurjant was arrested but was given house arrest temporarily. He escaped during this period and according to his brother said farewell to his entire family.[5][6]

Member of Malwa Kesri Commando Force

After leaving home Budhsinghwala joined the kharku group Malwa Kesri Commando Force. It was a small regional group. Under this group, Budhsinghwala was accused by police of attacking the home of a police informant and for the 1986 Muktsar bus massacre. He was also accused of killing Additional District and Sessions Judge R.P. Gaind in Jalandhar.[7][8][9][10][11][5]

Head of Malwa Kesri Commando Force

After Malwa Kesri Commando Force leader, Waryam Singh, was killed in a fake encounter Budhsinghwala was put in charge. It is said that after Budhsinghwala was proclaimed head of Malwa Kesari Commando Force he vowed to kill those who killed Waryam Singh.[9][10]

Soon after, three involved in Waryama Singh's death were killed by Budhsinghwala using Sten Guns. One killed was the Sarpanch of Rode Joginder Singh who had given information that led to Waryam Singh's death.[12] Sarpanch Joginder Singh with three of his aides were making their way to a bus stop. They met a few Sikhs who were dressed as farmers, but were actually members of the Malwa Kesri Commando Force. The militants told the Sarpanch and his aides to try and run, as they had come to get revenge. They ran. As they ran the militants opened fire, killing three, with one of the aides managing to flee.[5]

Soon Malwa Kesri Commando Force merged with Khalistan Liberation Force.[13]

Lieutenant-General of Khalistan Liberation Force

Budhsinghwala's group, Malwa Kesri Commando Force, merged with Khalistan Liberation Force during its founding in late 1986 and he was soon after made Lieutenant-General of KLF by Avtar Singh Brahma.[14]

As Lieutenant-General he would discuss each and every action of KLF before hand with fellow higher ups to see if it was morally just or not and if it fit Sikh values.[15]

SHO Mith Sinch

One of Budhsinghwala's first actions was in September 1987. The target was S.H.O. (Station house officer) Sub-Inspector Mith Singh. Mith Singh had been hand-picked by then chief of Punjab Police Julio F. Riberio. He was picked to deal with Budhsinghwala. Mith Singh had been accused of police brutality and targeting Budhsinghwala's family. Mith Singh had dragged Budhsinghwala's father by his hair in a public humiliation.[6] Budhsinghwala began plotting to kill Mith Singh in revenge for his actions with Husan Singh and Babbar Khalsa members. The attack was carried out by Budshinghwala and fellow Sikh militants on 15 September 1987 at around 9 in the morning. Mith Singh was shot while he was walking along with his guard, a police constable. Both of their guns were taken by Budhsinghwala. In the crossfire a schoolboy was also killed and five others were injured. The killing is said to have greatly alarmed Punjab Chief of Police Riberio. Mith Singh was one of his best and most loyal officers.[16]

Killing DSP Tara Chand

On November 6, 1987, Budhsinghwala killed Deputy Superintendent of Police Tara Chand. Chand was killed in the Jagraon area.[17]

Killing SSP Avinder Singh Brar and SSP KRS Gill

One of Budhsinghwala's most major actions was the killing of Senior Superintendent of Police Avinder Singh Brar and Senior Superintendent of Police KRS Gill on December 14, 1987.[18][19]

SSP Brar and his junior, SSP KRS Gill, were both killed while jogging at Patiala's National Institute of Sports. Both of them had little security. Two men in tracksuits approached them at 7 a.m. They signaled to a third person who pulled out an AK-47. Brar was killed instantly by a bullet hitting his temple, “sending his skull flying”.[19] Gill attempted to flee to a police jeep, but was injured with bullets in his head and back. He would die while fleeing and fell on the ground face first. The three killers fled on a motorcycle.[20]

Brar and Gill were top officers. There killing was described as the biggest killing since that of AS Atwal in Punjab. It was also described as a big killer of police morale.[19] Brar had been held as the best police officer. Brar had cleaned the Babbar Khalsa out of Patiala.[21] According to Chief of Punjab Police at the time J.F Ribeiro Brar would have become the chief of police had he not been killed.[22]

CRPF attack

In 1988 KLF under Avtar Singh Brahma attacked and destroyed CRPF bases in retaliation for CRPF actions at Brahampur.[23]

Various attacks

On January 22, 1988, BJP Punjab Vice-Presidnet Khushi Ram Sharma was shot dead with 4 bullets in Ludhiana by 2 Sikh on scooters. Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.[24]

On the same day 6 KLF members armed with AK-47s shot dead 12 people in a park in Barnala. Five others were injured. One of them was a Shiv Sena worker. Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.[24]

Attack on President Gurcharan Singh Tohra

Budhsinghwala also led an attack on Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Professor Darshan Singh. Tohra was president of SGPC and Darshan was the SGPC appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht.[25][26] During an April 1988 SGPC meeting at Ludhiana University KLF members under Budhsinghwala snuck their way in using fake ids. They attacked and fought Tohra and Darshan's security. 5 police officers and 8 members of Tohra and Darshan's party were killed. No KLF member was killed but Tohra and Darshan managed to escape unhurt.[27][28][29] A motive for attacks on Tohra could be the belief of militants that Tohra was involved in Operation Blue Star.[30]

Killing Shiv Sena President Ramkat Jalota

On 19 June 1988, under Budhsinghwala's reign as Lieutenant-General of KLF a senior KLF leader with other members gunned down the head of the Punjab Shiv Sena, Ramkat Jalota. He was killed along with his gunmen and another.[31][32][33] The Shiv Sena had used violence against Sikhs which made them targets of Sikh militants.[34]

Head of Khalistan Liberation Force

Following Avtar Singh's death in July 1988 Budhsinghwala commanded Khalistan Liberation Force.[35]

Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala

Budhsinghwala was responsible for multiple key assassinations of top cops, and politicians. They were killed in revenge for killings of other Khalistan Liberation Force members or in revenge for extrajudicial killings of other Sikhs.[36]

Assassinations and attacks on security forces

Under Budhsinghwala KLF launched frequent attacks on the bases of security forces. A reason was retaliation for crimes committed at Brahmpura by security forces notably by CRPF. The crimes included the breaking of people's homes, burning of Guru Granth Sahib, shooting at Guru Granth Sahib, beating the elderly Sarpanch, rape and molestation of girls.[23][37][38][39][40]

Attacks

Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, Anar Singh Para, and other KLF members attacked with grenades and captured a Home Guard headquarters in Lakhna Kalan. The base would be permanently closed.[41][42]

Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members attacked a CRPF base in Gandivind.[42][41]

Under Budhsinghwala KLF members under Major Singh Johal and Deputy Chief of KLF Jarnail Singh had an encounter with troops from the Indian Army in Karoonwale. Deputy Chief Jarnail Singh would be killed along with other KLF members. Major Singh Johal would survive with a few others.[42][41]

Under Budhsinghwala in Shabazpur Major Singh Johal with other KLF members blew up a CRPF base.[42][41]

In Bhagwanpur, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members attacked a CRPF base.[42][41]

In Ladhoo, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members blew up a CRPF base.[42][41]

In Bhoora Kahon, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal, and Gurdeep Singh Vakeel with other KLF members attacked 2 BSF vehicles killing 9 BSF jawans and injuring 7. The vehicles were also destroyed.[42][41]

KLF members under Budhsinghwala led by Major Singh Johal, and Gurdeep Singh Vakeel blew up 2 CRPF vehicles near the Chandian river.[42][41]

In Sarhali Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station killing 5 CRPF men and injuring a Deputy Superintendent of Police.[42][41]

In Thatti, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members attacked a drain killing 4 BSF jawans.[42][41]

In Lahuka, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members blew up a police van with bombs.[42][41]

In Dubli Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a CRPF checkpoint. 1 police jeep and 1 police bus were destroyed and 19 officers were killed, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, with 1 injured.[42][41]

In Kalia Sakthar Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station.[42][41]

In Khemkaran Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the place killing 5 BSF jawans.[42][41]

Major Singh Johal and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the station in Kachha Pakka. Johal attacked with Gurdeep Singh Vakeel and other prominent KLF members. They used pistols, grenades, and RPGs. 2 police buses were burn and 11 CRPF men were killed.[42][41]

Major Singh Johal, Gurdeep Singh Vakeel, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the CRPF headquarters in Kubaak with RPGs and grenades. 1 jeep was destroyed and 3 CRPF men were killed.[42][41]

Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station in Manochahal where Indian Army soldiers were stationed. 17 soldiers were killed.[42][41]

Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, killed 3 Commandos in Padhri Nake.[42][41]

Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members attacked the BSF headquarters in Noorwala.[42][41]

Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal and other KLF members were involved in a battle with National Security Guards near Amarkot. KLF won the battle with 8 NSG being killed and 5 being injured.[42][41][43]

Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility for an attack on 2 CRPF jeeps near Sher Chowk on July 25, 1989. The government claimed 1 CRPF jawan was killed and 4 injured. Budhsinghwala claimed more were killed in the attack. Budhsinghwala also warned that more attacks would ensue if police did not stop committing fake encounters.[44]

Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members killed 5 soldiers and injuring 5 more in Panjwar by attacking a convoy.[42][41][43]

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.[45]

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.[45]

On September 21, 1990, KCF, KLF, BKI, and SSF claimed responsibility for an attack on a SPO base which killed 2 officers.[46]

Assassinations

Budhsinghwala along with Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, a KLF member, also killed Inspector R. Sodha.[47]

In March 1989 under Budhsinghwala KLF members killed Thanedar (Assistant Sub-Inspector) Pargat Singh. Pargat had been accused of targeting the family of Sikhs. He was killed while having tea near a police station. Another officer was injured.[48][49]

On September 13, 1989, S.S.P Gobind Ram's son was killed in an attempted attack on Gobind Ram by Budhsinghwala and other KLF members.[50]

Assassinating Commandant Gobind Ram

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 was done by Budhsinghwala while the killing was done Toofan Singh and others. 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".[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60]

Assassinating SP (OPs) Harjit Singh

On November 24, 1990, at 9 am Budhsinghwala along with other militant groups part of the Sohan Singh Committee killed Superintendent of Police (Operations) Harjit Singh in a bomb blast at Tarn Taran. Sikh militants had been studying Harjit's travel routes for some time. A remote-controlled bomb had been placed on a road Harjit usually drove by to go to the doctor. When Harjit's lead security vehicles drove by and it was just his vehicle over the bomb it was detonated. In the explosion three of his security guards were killed and his vehicle was destroyed. Harjit's limbs were found over 100 meters away from the location of the explosion. A permanent curfew was put on the town after. A saying about the incident is, “He had a security vehicle in front of him and behind him, so he would be safe from all sides. But he didn’t count on his death coming from below”. Twenty-two days prior to his death Harjit had killed the chief of BTFK (S) Sukhwinder Singh Sangha along with four other militants. KLF, KCF, Babbar Khalsa, SSF, and BTFK (S) members held a meeting afterward pledging to kill Harjit within 31 days of Sangha's death. Major Singh of KCF was given the lead role in the killing. A famous kavishri ballad about this incident says, “24th November at exactly 9, for Sangha’s revenge Major Singh and his allies have arrived. Without wasting any time Kharkus have come to kill him… The 5 jathebandis [Groups] had said we would hit him hard… To become SSP he had done many misdeeds… Watch how with a computer system [remote-controlled bomb] Kharkus blow him up. Harjit’s wife watches his limbs blow up… Operation Shera has been done on the SP of Operation.”[61][62][63][64][65][66]

Attacking DGP D.S. Magnat

Budhsinghwala also injured Chief of Punjab Police, D.G.P. (Director General of Police) D.S Mangat in a bomb blast in 1991. The blast injured three of his security guards with his chief security officer losing a foot.[67][68]

Killing SP (HQ) Joginder Singh Khera

On October 9, 1991, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Joginder Singh Kherawas killed by KLF and BTFK. Khera was ambushed in Ropar. Khera was one of the leading officers in the Punjab Police force. He was killed with nine commandos.[69][70][71]

Killing SP (Operations) R.S. Tiwana

On April 1, 1992, Superintendent of Police (Operations) of Ludhiana R.S Tiwana was killed by Budhsinghwala in a remote-controlled bomb blast. Tiwana had left his home is his ambassador car with a security vehicle. The bomb was blown right under Tiwana's car. Tiwana's limbs were found 500 yards away. His daughter and two others were also killed in the blast.[72][71][73][74]

Killing DSP Surjit Singh

On December 27, 1990, D.S.P. of Patiala Sujit Singh along with his wife and two guards were killed by Budhsinghwala.[65][68]

Various assassinations of officers

On February 16, 1990, KCF, BTFK (Sangha), BKI, and SSF collectively claimed responsibility for an explosion in Phillaur that killed Inspector Harcharan Singh Soori and Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Moorti on the 11th. The bomb also wounded 2 Sergeants. The explosion happened in an armoured and guarded police training facility. Both were put in a special armoured room for extra safety, but were killed at 9 pm from an explosion within their room. Both officers had been accused of torturing Sikhs. Inspector Soori had survived a previous assassination attempt in 1988.[75][76]

On March 2, 1990, KCF, KLF, BKI, and SSF collectively claimed responsibility for killing 1 Sergeant and 1 Constable of Punjab Police in Nagoke for alleged “misdeeds”.[77]

On March 2, 1990, KCF, KLF, BKI, and SSF collectively claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Philaur that killed 1 police constable and 2 others. They stated that they were killed because they had put fake cases on locals.[78]

On September 28, 1990, KCF, KLF, BKI, and SSF claimed responsibility for killing Inspector Rajinderpal Singh.[79]

Killing MLA Sat Pal Parashar

On May 5, 1989, Budhsinghwala and fellow KLF militants killed Congress leader and MLA Sat Pal Parashar. He had recently been elected to Ludhiana North Constituency.[80][81][82][83]

Attacking President Gurcharan Singh Tohra

On May 14, 1990, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of SGPC, was attacked in his car. A jeep with about 6 militnats drove beside Tohra's vehicle and opened fire. An escort car attempted to chase them but they escaped. Tohra managed to survive but was injured. Tohra's bodyguard was also injured. Tohra's driver was killed and so was former MLA H.S. Rajla who was accompanying Tohra.[84] Budhsinghwala, Paramjit Singh Panjwar of Khalistan Commando Force, Sukhdev Singh Babbar of Babbar Khalsa, and Daljit Singh of the All India Sikh Student Federation collectively claimed responsibility. They said he was attacked for his involvement in Operation Blue Star.[85]

Killing Minister Balwant Singh

On July 11, 1990, Budhsinghwala killed former Punjab Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Balwant Singh.[86] Balwant was killed in a car while travelling on a busy road in Chandigarh. Balwant was a key player in the creation of the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. The accord had been opposed by many Sikh leaders and militants.[87] Balwant had been dubbed a traitor for his involvement in the accord.[88]

Various assassinations of politicians

Budhsinghwala killed vice-president of the Punjab Congress party Lala Bhagwan Das along with his bodyguards.[86]

On November 23, 1990, KCF, KLF, BKI, BTFK, and SSF claimed responsibility for killing Congress president of Jalandhar district, Gurdarshan Singh. They claimed he was a police informant involved in the killing of militants.[89]

Under Budhsinghwala in January 1992 two KLF members killed Sher Singh, president of All India Youth Akali Dal, at Aroorgarh.[90]

Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi

On May 21, 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber which also killed 15 others and injured 43 others. The bomber, Kalaivani Rajaratnam, approached and greeted Gandhu. She then bent down to touch his feet and detonated an RDX explosive-laden belt tucked below her dress at exactly 10:10 PM.[91] Some key people among the dead excluding Rajiv Gandhi was the bomber Kalaivani Rajaratnam, K.S Mohammed Iqbal who was a SP, Munuswamy who was former member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council, and Santhani Begum the head of Mahila Congress.[92][93] The main plot of the assassination was done by LTTE.[94][95] Budhsinghwala was involved in the plot to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi and helped with planning, logistical support, and tactical support.[96][97][98][99][100][101][102]

Attack on RSS

On the morning of June 25, 1989 KLF and BTFK members attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members at their meeting at Nehru Park in Moga. 21 RSS members were killed with a police officer, a paramilitary home guard and a couple dying of a bomb blast after the shooting leaving a total of 25 dead and 31-35 injured. It has since been renamed to Shahidi Park meaning Martyr Park. According to police Sikhs opened fire with automatic weapons from a van killing 21 and injuring many. According to survivors bullets were sprayed on everyone. They then left the scene. Soon after a powerful bomb blast occurred which killed 4, injured more, and caused damage. A second bomb also blew up after, but it caused no damage or injuries. A curfew was announced immediately following the incident.[103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110]

Home Minister Buta Singh described the incident as, "a very serious attempt on the part of terrorists to whip up tension along communal lines."[111]

Killing Charan Das

On August 3, 1989, under Budhsinghwala Kulwant Singh, a senior KLF member, and another killed Charan Das. Das was the head of a heterodox Dalit religious group. He had been accused of blasphemy of Guru Granth Sahib. He was chopped into pieces by the KLF members.[112][113]

Kidnapping Manish Karma

Three days later on September 16, 1989, Manish Karma, son of S.P Des Raj, would be kidnapped by Budhsinghwala. His reasoning was that he wanted police officers to go through the pain of losing a child as so many Sikhs had in fake encounters. Though the real reason was for the release of Khalistan Liberation Force members. Manishu was let go in exchange for the release of Budhsinghwala's allies 3 or 4 days after being captured. Manishu was treated well while he was captured. He said that he was given sweets and was told stories of the Sikh Gurus. On the day of his release he was dressed in new clothes and was given 1.1 Million rupees.[50]

SYL engineer attacks

On July 23, 1990, KLF, KCF, BKI, and SSF collectively claimed responsibility for killing the Chief Engineer of the SYL, ML Sekhri, and Superintending Engineer of the SYL, Avtar Singh. They were killed while attending a meeting with fellow engineers in Chandigarh.[114][115][116]

Killing Goyal Moga

Budhsinghwala killed Magistrate Goyal Moga after he and his guards surrendered.

Kidnapping charge d’affaires Lividu Radu

On October 9, 1991, Budhsignhwala along with Bhindranwale Tiger Force, Khalistan Commando Force, and the Sikh Students Federation kidnapped Romanian charge d’affaires Lividu Radu.[117] Radu was taken from his car at around 8 am. He was forced into the vehicle of Budhsinghwala and co by 4 Sikhs who were armed. Quickly after the kidnapping, many raids were launched by security forces. Exit routes from Delhi were blocked and authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were warned of the situation.[118] The kidnappers demanded the release of the killers of General Vaidya. Two of whom were Harjinder Singh Jinda, and Sukhdev Singh Sukha.The kidnappers threatened to cut Radu in pieces if their demands weren't met by October 19.[117][119] The deadline passed, but Sikh militants did not harm Radu.[120] The Indian government refused to meet any of the Sikh's demands.[121] Radu was kept in Delhi until October 27. He was then moved to Punjab by car. On November 25 Radu was released unharmed after 48 days.[119][122][123]

Killing police informants

On March 16, 1990, KLF, SSF, BKI, and KCF claimed responsibility for killing a police informant named Bhagwant Singh who was involved in over 50 killings. He was also a key associate of Gobind Ram.[124]

Attack in Ludhiana

On October 26, 1991, R.N. Goyal, Chief Health Officers Ludhiana, Bachitar Singh Director Health Services Punjab, and 5 others were killed by KCF, KLF, BTFK, BKI, and SSF. They claimed that the doctors had forged autopsy’s, improperly treated Sikhs, and aided in police killings.[125][126]

Wanted for

Budhsinghwala was responsible for the killings of over 1,000 people including key police officers and politicians.[127][128][1]

Death and aftermath

Budhsinghwala was killed in a police encounter on 29 July 1992, in Ludhiana, when he and other members of KLF were meeting. The firefight took several hours. Police stated that Singh was killed in the house where a meeting was taking place, while some witnesses claim that he was killed in an alleyway 50 metres (160 ft) away from the house. His body was not returned to his family and was secretly cremated as police feared that his body might be used as a propaganda tool.[129] At the time of his death, he was wanted in 37 cases of assassination.[128]

There was a 2.5 million rupee bounty on Gurjant Singh at his time of death.[130]

A two-day general strike was started in Chandigarh by all Akali Dal factions to protest against the killing of Budhsinghwala. According to police it had, "…paralysed life in six districts."[131]

After Budhsinghwala's death, Dr Pritam Singh Sekhon succeeded him as head of the KLF.[132]

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