Labh Singh

{{short description|Leader of Khalistan Commando Force (1952-1988)}} {{for|the athlete|Labh Singh (athlete)}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Labh Singh | birth_date = 1952 | death_date = 12 July {{death year and age|1988|1952}} | birth_place = Village Panjwar, Tarn Taran, India | death_place = Tanda, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India | image = Photograph of "Labh Singh" (born as Sukhdev Singh Dhillon), former leader of the Khalistan Commando Force.jpg | caption = | office1 = 2nd Jathedar of Khalistan Commando Force | predecessor1 = Manbir Singh Chaheru | successor1 = Kanwaljit Singh Sultanwind | term1 = 9 August 1986 – 12 July 1988 | nickname = Sukha Sipahi | signature = Signature of "Labh Singh" (born as Sukhdev Singh Dhillon), former militant leader of the Khalistan Commando Force.jpg | battles = Insurgency in Punjab | rank = General | office2 = Jathedar of Keshgarh Sahib | term2 = 1988 – 12 July 1988 }}

'''Sukhdev Singh Dhillon''' (1952 – 12 July 1988), also known as '''General Labh Singh''' and '''Sukha Sipahi''' was a militant, ex punjab police personnel, and Sikh separatist<ref name="lal155">{{harvnb|Mahmood|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC&dq=hari+singh+labh+general&pg=RA1-PA155 155]}}</ref> who took command of the Khalistan Commando Force after its first leader, Manbir Singh Chaheru, was arrested in 1986.<ref name="Indiamostwanted">{{Cite news |date=11 August 1986 |title=India's most-wanted terrorist captured |publisher=New Straits Times Foreign News Service |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PbMTAAAAIBAJ&pg=6842,2750498 |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="encycloextreme">{{Cite book |last=Atkins |first=Stephen E. |author-link=Stephen E. Atkins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b8k4rEPvq_8C |title=Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2004 |isbn=9780313324857 |edition=illustrated |page=242 |access-date=26 June 2009}}</ref> Labh Singh was a close associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who committed multiple targetted attacks with Surinder Singh Sodhi and fought against the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star.<ref name="lal79">{{harvnb|Mahmood|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wA3yjdgyY9kC&q=general+labh+singh+jarnail+singh 79]}}</ref> 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 in multiple assassinations of police, and government officials as well as targeted attacks on Communists. Labh Singh was the mastermind behind the Lalru bus massacre and Fatehabad bus massacre killing 74 bus passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bobb |first=Dilip |date=1987-07-31 |title=Slaughter of 74 innocent bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana raises spectre of terrorism |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-slaughter-of-74-innocent-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-raises-spectre-of-terrorism-799135-1987-07-30 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> He masterminded<ref name="masterbank">{{Harvnb|Singh|Jaswal|1996|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&q=labh+singh+largest+bank+robbery+Punjab+National+Bank 98 – "Labh Singh masterminded a bank robbery of R. 6 crore from a branch..."]}}</ref> what was then India's largest bank robbery,<ref name="LATimesMasq" /> taking almost {{INRConvert|57|m|year=1987}} from the Punjab National Bank, Miller Gunj branch, Ludhiana. Labh Singh mastermind many other robberies<ref name="LATimesMasq">{{Cite news |date=13 February 1987 |title=Sikh Separatists Masquerade as Police to Stage India's Biggest Bank Robbery |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58240583.html?dids=58240583:58240583&FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022223108/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58240583.html?dids=58240583:58240583&FMT=ABS |archive-date=22 October 2012 |quote=Sikh(bracketed) separatists dressed as police officers looted a bank Thursday and escaped with $4.5 million, the biggest bank heist in Indian history, officials said. Bank robberies have been a major means of financing the Sikh militants' violent campaign for a separate state they call Khalistan. Bank robberies occur almost every week in Punjab.}}</ref><ref name="CSTbankrob">{{Cite news |date=13 February 1987 |title=Sikhs rob India bank of $4.5 million |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021140733/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=21 March 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{Cite news |date=9 October 2008 |title=SGPC honours kin of Vaidya's assassins |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081010/punjab1.htm#11 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> which enabled the Khalistan Commando Force to buy weapons.<ref name="IandS">{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Kirpal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3eBuAAAAMAAJ |title=Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978–1993. Pa |publisher=Penguin India |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-14-310036-2 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref>

==Early life==

Labh Singh's original name was Sukhdev Singh Dhillon He was also known as Sukha Sipahi.<ref name="genterror" /> He lived in the village of Panjwar, in ''Tehsil'' (sub-district) Patti in district Tarn Taran<ref name="JournalCCP">{{Cite book |last=Taylor & Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiZnAAAAMAAJ&q=labh |title=The Journal of Commonwealth & comparative politics, Volume 29 |publisher=Frank Cass |year=1991 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Puri |first1=Harish K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDZuAAAAMAAJ&q=Labh+Singh |title=Social and political movements by Harish K. Puri, Paramjit S. Judge, Page 391 |last2=Judge |first2=Paramjit S. |date=3 September 2008 |publisher=Rawat Publications |isbn=978-81-7033-633-4 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="tribuneindia2001">{{Cite news |last1=Walia |first1=Varinder |last2=Puri |first2=Gurbax |date=9 March 2001 |title=Normalcy a bliss for Panjwar family |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/punjab1.htm |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> and owned {{convert|9|acre|m2}} of land.<ref name="JournalCCP" /><ref name="terrorname9">{{Harvnb|Singh|Jaswal|1996|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&q=sukha+sipahi+children 97 – A founder of the KCF, his real name was Sukhdev Singh alias Sukha 'Sipahi'(soldier). A self-styled 'General' of the KCF, thirty-five-year-old Sukhdev Singh belonged to Panjwar village in Amritsar and owned nine acres of land.]}}</ref> He married Davinder Kaur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ajmer Singh's new work engages with 1984 Catastrophe |url=http://www.worldsikhnews.com/8%20July%202009/Ajmer%20Singh%20s%20new%20work%20engages%20with%201984%20Catastrophe.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104070402/http://worldsikhnews.com/8%20July%202009/Ajmer%20Singh%20s%20new%20work%20engages%20with%201984%20Catastrophe.htm |archive-date=4 January 2010 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=World Sikh News}}</ref>

==Punjab Police service==

After finishing his education at Baba Buddha Sahib College,<ref name="ektaone1">{{Cite web |title=Gursikhs and Inspirational Living |url=http://www.ektaone.com/literature-mainmenu-27/gursikhs-mainmenu-101?start=25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625153959/http://www.ektaone.com/literature-mainmenu-27/gursikhs-mainmenu-101?start=25 |archive-date=25 June 2009 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=Ektaone.com}}</ref> Labh Singh joined the Punjab Police force<ref name="Kin of slain" /> in 1971<ref name="7180s">{{Harvnb|Singh|Jaswal|1996|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&q=80s 97 – "He joined the Punjab Police as a constable in 1971. In the early 1980s he came under the influence of Bhindranwale and resigned from the police force."]}}</ref> and served the force until he left his job in May 1983.<ref name=7180s/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cn8jAAAAIBAJ&dq=khalistan+commando+force&pg=PA16&article_id=1164,3481490 |title=The Lewiston Daily Sun |publisher=The Lewiston Daily Sun |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":322">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m4NlAAAAIBAJ&dq=labh+singh&pg=PA9&article_id=1442,1565967 |title=Dreaded terrorist Labh Singh shot dead |publisher=The Indian Express |pages=9 |language=en}}</ref>

==Militancy under Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale ==

Influenced by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Labh Singh left the Punjab police in May 1983,<ref name=7180s/><ref name=":2" /> and joined the Sikh militant movement.<ref name="Kin of slain">{{Cite news |last1=Walia |first1=Varinder |last2=Gurbaxpuri |date=8 March 2001 |title=Kin of slain Babbar Khalsa chief shift abroad |publisher=The Tribune (Tribune News Service) |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010309/main7.htm |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> He was involved in militancy prior to his departure and was suspected to be involved in an attack on Inspector Harjit Singh.<ref name=":322" /> Labh Singh rose to become a very close associate of Jarnail Singh and a key hitman of Jarnail Singh. He along with Surinder Singh Sodhi were Bhinranwale's chief hitmen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santhanam |first=Raju |date=1984-08-31 |title=Large number of Punjab terrorists are to be formally charged for waging war |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19840831-large-number-of-punjab-terrorists-are-to-be-formally-charged-for-waging-war-803706-1984-08-30 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== Various assassinations and attack === On 27 October 1982, Labh Singh, Surinder Singh Sodhi, and another militant 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,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsAxAQAAIAAJ |title=Link: Indian Newsmagazine |date=1978 |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref> Nirankari were expelled by the Akal Takht out of the Sikh fold and became a target of attacks.<ref name="mm2">{{Cite book |last1=Marty |first1=Martin E. |url=https://archive.org/details/fundamentalismss00mart |title=Fundamentalisms and the State: Remaking Polities, Economies, and Militance |last2=Appleby |first2=R. Scott |date=1 July 1996 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0226508849 |edition=1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/fundamentalismss00mart/page/272 272] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2002 |title=Akali ex-minister attends Nirankari meet function Dal Khalsa sees red |work=The Tribune |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021006/punjab1.htm#4 |access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="2nd22">{{Cite book |last=Chima |first=Jugdep S |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qJaHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA44 |title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements |date=2010 |publisher=SAGE Publication |isbn=9788132105381 |location=New Delhi |pages=41–44}}</ref>

Resham had been receiving death threats for months and had been appointed a security guard from the Punjab Police. The day of the killing Resham's guard was on leave. Labh Singh and the other militants had disguised themselves as police officers. Labh Singh and the other militants drove-by on a Royal Enfield Bullet and shot Resham. Afterwards the militants stopped the motorcycle and shot Resham 3 more times. 2 stens and a pistol were used.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=October 28, 1982, Forty Years Ago: Nirankari shot |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/40-years-ago/forty-years-ago-nirankari-shot-8234069/ |access-date=1 June 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2nd22" /><ref name=":623">Ajit Newspaper 15 July 1988</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 October 1982 |title=दसुहा में मोटरसाइकिल सवारों द्वारा निरंकारी की हत्या, करतार पुर में अंधाधुंध फायरिंग, अमृतसर में हड़ताल, विधायक के घर पर हमला |work=Punjab Kesari |pages=1, 10}}</ref>

==== Killing Deputy Inspector General A.S. Atwal ==== On 25 April 1983, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) A.S. Atwal was killed while leaving the Golden Temple. In the killing 2 others were critically injured.<ref name="Pacific_Atwal">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WmiGAAAAIAAJ |title=Pacific Affairs, Volume 67 |publisher=University of British Columbia |year=1994 |edition=1994 – Pan-Pacific relations |pages=51–58}}</ref><ref name="Bhanwar2">{{Cite web |last=Bhanwar |first=Harbir Singh |title=Interview |url=http://www.abplive.in/videos/watch-pradhanmantri-episode-14-188744 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726185846/https://www.abplive.in/videos/watch-pradhanmantri-episode-14-188744 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |access-date=7 June 2018 |publisher=ABP News}}</ref> Labh Singh was involved in the killing.<ref name=":322" /> 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.<ref name="Today_Atwal">{{Cite news |title=DIG Avtar Singh Atwal brutally murdered outside Golden Temple in Amritsar |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19830515-dig-avtar-singh-atwal-brutally-murdered-outside-golden-temple-in-amritsar-770660-2013-07-23 |access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Bhanwar2" /> Atwal had killed 1 of Jarnail Singh’s men and injured 3 others in am encounter causing him to be on the militant hit-list.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tully |first1=Mark |url=http://archive.org/details/amritsarmrsgandh00tull |title=Amritsar, Mrs. Gandhi's last battle |last2=Jacob |first2=Satish |date=1985 |publisher=Calcutta : Rupa & Co. |others=Internet Archive |pages=97}}</ref>

On 1 May 1983, Labh Singh and 2 other militants were accused of throwing a grenade at Inspector Harjit Singh’s home while driving by on a motorcycle. Harjit survived the explosion, but it caused great damage to the surrounding area.<ref name=":322" /> Bhindranwale had accused Harjit of being involved in multiple extrajudicial executions of Sikhs and a “drinker of Sikh blood”.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=31–32, 53 |language=en}}</ref>

On 30 May 1983, 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 sten and revolver. Bhagwan had been accused by Bhindranwale as being one of the leading officers in the torture of Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=235 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fk5DAAAAYAAJ |title=India Today |date=1984 |publisher=Thomson Living Media India Limited |pages=30 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":143">{{Cite web |title=Punjab Police Martyrs |url=http://pptesting.in/Home/MartyreList |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914134148/http://pptesting.in/Home/MartyreList |archive-date=14 September 2019}}</ref><ref name=":24434">ਖਾੜਕੂ ਯੋਧੇ in Punjabi by Maninder Singh Baja</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xn5DAAAAYAAJ |title=Data India |date=1984 |publisher=Press Institute of India |pages=34 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Narain |title=ਪੰਤਕ ਦਸਤਾਵੇਜ਼ਃ ਧਰਮ ਯੁੱਧ ਤੇ ਜੁਝਾਰੂ ਲਹਿਰ |last2=Singh |first2=Dr. Karamjit |publisher=Gurmat Pustak Bhandar |pages=656}}</ref>

On 15 August 1983, at around 1:15 PM Sodhi, 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 targeting Sansi for some time. On 15 August he saw Sansi. Labh Singh and fellow militants had driven beside Sansi. Sodhi drove the motorcycle while Nagoke, and Labh Singh shot Sansi. 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=256 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |pages=122 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Gurmat Pustak Bhandar">{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Narain |title=ਪੰਤਕ ਦਸਤਾਵੇਜ਼ਃ ਧਰਮ ਯੁੱਧ ਤੇ ਜੁਝਾਰੂ ਲਹਿਰ |last2=Singh |first2=Dr. Karamjit |publisher=Gurmat Pustak Bhandar |pages=658}}</ref><ref name="Singh 112">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Narain |title=Singh Garaj |publisher=Singh Brothers |pages=112 |language=Punjabi}}</ref>

On 26 September 1983, Makhan Singh, a Sergeant of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surjit Singh, was killed in Putlighar area of Amritsar outside of a hostel by 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. Makhan was shot in the shoulder by Labh Singh. He ran out of the hostel 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=310 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Punjab Police Martyrs |url=http://pptesting.in/Home/MartyreList |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914134148/http://pptesting.in/Home/MartyreList |archive-date=14 September 2019}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":623" /><ref name="Gurmat Pustak Bhandar" /><ref name="Singh 112" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 1983 |title=ਹੌਲਦਾਰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੇ ਮਾਰਿਆ |work=Daily Punjab Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=emxDAAAAYAAJ |title=Link |date=1983 |publisher=United India Periodicals |pages=19 |language=en}}</ref>

On 29 October 1983, Labh Singh with Makhan Singh Babbar and Sodhi attacked retired DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) Gurbachan Singh also known as Bachan Singh. Gurbachan was at a shop owned by his son.<ref name=":82">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pXpDAAAAYAAJ |title=Sûrya India |date=1984 |publisher=A. Anand. |pages=39 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Narain |title=ਪੰਤਕ ਦਸਤਾਵੇਜ਼ਃ ਧਰਮ ਯੁੱਧ ਤੇ ਜੁਝਾਰੂ ਲਹਿਰ |last2=Singh |first2=Dr. Karamjit |publisher=Gurmat Pustak Bhandar |pages=661}}</ref> Sodhi and the others first disguised themselves as police officers. They then made their way to Gurbachan.<ref name=":82" /> Sodhi, Makhan, and Labh attacked Gurbachan and his security with Sten guns. 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.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |pages=127 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":143" /><ref name=":24434" /> 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.<ref name=":24434" /> Gurbachan Singh had tortured Amrik Singh<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Kirpal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_PU6CwAAQBAJ&dq=deputy+superintendent+bachan+singh&pg=PT110 |title=Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978–1993 |date=22 December 2006 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-93-85890-38-3 |language=en}}</ref> He also had tortured Kulwant Singh Nagoke and after killed him in an extrajudicial execution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kulwant Singh, victim of extrajudicial execution on June 11, 1982 |url=https://data.ensaaf.org/profile/4138/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Mapping Crimes Against Humanity: Enforced Disappearances & Extrajudicial Executions in Punjab, India |language=en-us}}</ref> 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".<ref name="Siṅgha Santa 1999 54">{{Cite book |last=Siṅgha (Santa) |first=Jaranaila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5gSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-0-9 |pages=54 |language=en}}</ref>

On 9 March 1984 Labh Singh along with Sodhi, and Gurmit Singh Sukha attacked the motorcade of Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Ved Pal. The attack occurred 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 Sten guns. The driver was killed, and a gunman seriously injured. Others escaped with minor injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=Sant Bhindranwale's associates arrested |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/sant-bhindranwales-associates-arrested/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |date=28 May 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |pages=138 |language=English}}</ref>

==== Killing BJP MLA Harbans Lal Khanna ==== On 2 April 1984, Surinder Singh Sodhi<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Juergensmeyer |first1=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lpb1mbaHjGQC&dq=harbans+lal+khanna+sodhi+singh&pg=PA276 |title=Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence |last2=Juergensmeyer |first2=Professor of Sociology and Director of the Global and International Studies Program Mark |date=2003 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-24011-7 |pages=276 |language=en}}</ref> along with Labh Singh<ref name=":322"/> 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.<ref name="dhillon3">{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Gurdarshan Singh |url=https://archive.org/details/TruthAboutPunjab/mode/2up |title=Truth about Punjab: SGPC White Paper |date=1996 |publisher=Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee |isbn=978-0836456547 |edition=1st |location=Amritsar, Punjab |pages=186, 205–206 |access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Hindu leader slain in northern India |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/02/Hindu-leader-slain-in-northern-India/6744449730000/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":24434"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Vajpayee |first=Atal Bihari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87k_AAAAMAAJ&dq=harbans+lal+khanna+killed&pg=PA493 |title=State of the nation |date=1996 |publisher=Shipra Publications |isbn=978-81-85402-69-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Service |first=British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0_VAAAAMAAJ |title=Summary of World Broadcasts: Far East |date=1984 |publisher=Monitoring Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation |pages=1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xn5DAAAAYAAJ |title=Data India |date=1984 |publisher=Press Institute of India |pages=403 |language=en}}</ref>

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".<ref name="dhillon3" /><ref name="karim">{{Cite book |last=Karim |first=Afsir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqwQb38SQEC&dq=harbans+lal+khanna&pg=PA30 |title=Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor |date=1991 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-8170621270 |page=30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Judge |first=Paramjit S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8z5uAAAAMAAJ&q=dukki+tikki+khehan |title=Religion, Identity, and Nationhood: The Sikh Militant Movement |date=2005 |publisher=Rawat Publications |isbn=9788170339496 |page=134}}</ref> 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.<ref name="dhillon3" /> All of this had made him a prime target for Sikhs.<ref name=":4" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Police fired into the air today to disperse thousands... – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/02/Police-fired-into-the-air-today-to-disperse-thousands/2971449730000/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> The riots left at least 7 dead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Police with emergency powers to search and arrest people... – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/04/Police-with-emergency-powers-to-search-and-arrest-people/9724449902800/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2011 |title=Bhajan Lal lived with 'anti-Sikh, anti-Punjab' image |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhajan-lal-lived-with-anti-sikh-anti-punjab-image/articleshow/8731824.cms |access-date=21 June 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name="eos22">{{Cite book |last=Siṅgh |first=Major Gurmukh (retd.) |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiE-l/page/n365/mode/2up |title=Jarnail Siṅgh Bhiṇḍrāṅwāle |date=1997 |publisher=Punjab University, Patiala, 2011 |isbn=978-8173805301 |editor-last=Siṅgh |editor-first=Harbans |edition=3rd |location=Patiala, Punjab, India |pages=352–354 |language=en |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Narain |title=Singh Garaj |publisher=Singh Brothers |pages=428 |language=Punjabi}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=430–431 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Slow-burning fuse lit by extremists in Punjab sputters fast in neighbouring Haryana |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19840315-slow-burning-fuse-lit-by-extremists-in-punjab-sputters-fast-in-neighbouring-haryana-802852-1984-03-14 |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=India Today |date=15 March 1984 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":112">{{Cite book |last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FqvTRUrwt2UC&dq=surinder+singh+sodhi+motorcycle&pg=PA68 |title=Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-0017-1 |pages=68 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":16" />

On 14 April 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Tully |first1=Mark |url=http://archive.org/details/amritsarmrsgandh00tull |title=Amritsar, Mrs. Gandhi's last battle |last2=Jacob |first2=Satish |date=1985 |publisher=Calcutta : Rupa & Co. |others=Internet Archive |pages=130–133}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |pages=145 |language=English}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh terrorist killed by female assassin |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/14/Sikh-terrorist-killed-by-female-assassin/6680450766800/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Baljit Kaur was interrogated by Bhidnranwale. She admitted to the other killer being her boyfriend Surinder Singh Shinda, and to being paid by Gurcharan Singh, the general secretary of Akali Dal, to do the killing. She also implicated others.<ref name=":0" /> Bhindranwale vowed to avenge the killing.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chima |first=Jugdep S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxpBDwAAQBAJ&dq=surinder+singh+sodhi&pg=PT105 |title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements |date=11 March 2010 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5150-953-0 |language=en}}</ref> With this Labh Singh and fellow militants made their way to punish those who they deemed to be 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 vengeance.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xRhXAAAAIBAJ&dq=surinder+singh+sodhi&pg=PA38&article_id=4553,772293 |title=The Spokesman-Review |publisher=The Spokesman-Review |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":24434"/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iIJTAAAAIBAJ&dq=surinder+singh+sodhi&pg=PA2&article_id=4866,958649 |title=The Bulletin |publisher=The Bulletin |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fPEcAAAAIBAJ&dq=surinder+singh+sodhi&pg=PA15&article_id=5565,1100393 |title=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

On 23 April 1984, Labh Singh and fellow militants robbed {{INRConvert|44.583|k|year=1987}} from Punjab and Sind bank in Amritsar. It was described as a “clean-operation” while also being described as “spontaneous”.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bk-008698 |title=White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |date=1984 |pages=147 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4StuAAAAMAAJ |title=Terrorism in Punjab: Cause and Cure |date=1987 |publisher=Panchnad Research Institute |pages=103 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oTx-sVXaFKYC |title=Times of India Illustrated Weekly |date=1988 |publisher=Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press |language=en}}</ref>

==== Killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurbachan Singh ==== On 30 April 1984, retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gurbachan Singh, also known as Bachan Singh, was killed along with his wife, daughter, and a gunman in Amritsar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timeline of incidents in Punjab (Jan to Dec 1984) {{!}} KEM |url=https://www.khalistanextremismmonitor.org/timeline/year-1984 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Khalistan Extremism Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Narang |first=Amarjit S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rTx_EAAAQBAJ&dq=deputy+superintendent+bachan+singh&pg=PA1982 |title=Region, Religion and Politics: 100 Years of Shiromani Akali Dal |date=6 October 2022 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-78305-6 |language=en}}</ref> The killers were Labh Singh and Major Singh Nagoke.<ref name=":322" /><ref name=":623" /> Gurbachan Singh had survived 4 previous attacks on his life and was a prime target of Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikhs kill former police official, wife in ambush – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/30/Sikhs-kill-former-police-official-wife-in-ambush/2054452145600/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Gurbachan Singh had been accused of torturing Amrik Singh<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Kirpal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_PU6CwAAQBAJ&dq=deputy+superintendent+bachan+singh&pg=PT110 |title=Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978–1993 |date=22 December 2006 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-93-85890-38-3 |language=en}}</ref> He also had been accused of torturing Kulwant Singh Nagoke and killing him in a extrajudicial execution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kulwant Singh, victim of extrajudicial execution on June 11, 1982 |url=https://data.ensaaf.org/profile/4138/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Mapping Crimes Against Humanity: Enforced Disappearances & Extrajudicial Executions in Punjab, India |language=en-us}}</ref> He had been named by Jarnail Singh as an "enemy" of the ''panth'' and someone who, “..drank Sikh blood”.<ref name="Siṅgha Santa 1999 54" />

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 9 May 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 militants began looking for Darbara, but before assassinating him militants involved in the plot were arrested and they were ordered to scrap the assassination by Harminder Singh Sandhu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modus operandi of terrorists: Chilling details from AISSF activist Virsa Singh Valtoha |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/crime-stories/story/19850615-modus-operandi-of-terrorists-chilling-details-from-aissf-activist-virsa-singh-valtoha-770119-2013-12-16 |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=India Today |date=17 December 2013 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Killing of Ramesh Chander ==== On 12 May 1984,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahuja |first=B. N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rXBqvWO_j80C&dq=ramesh+chander+kill&pg=PA89 |title=Hand Book Of General Knowledge |date=2006 |publisher=Pitambar Publishing |isbn=978-81-209-0516-0 |pages=89 |language=en}}</ref> Labh Singh, Gursewak Singh Babla,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bharadwaj |first=Ajay |date=27 August 2004 |title=Babla's escape revives fear of militant strikes |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Bablas-escape-revives-fear-of-militant-strikes/articleshow/828974.cms |url-status=live |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024035311/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-08-27/chandigarh/27157628_1_punjab-militants-jagtar-singh-hawara-police-custody |archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> Gurinder Singh and Swaranjit Singh were accused of killing Hind Samachar newspaper group editor Ramesh Chander,<ref name="LSescape">{{Cite news |date=6 April 1986 |title=Sikhs Kill 6 on Courthouse Steps |publisher=Associated Press (Wilmington Morning Star) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N-UVAAAAIBAJ&pg=7064,1405115&dq=sukhdev-singh |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> who was an outspoken critic of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 May 1984 |title=India editor slain as violence spreads |publisher=Chicago Tribune |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/634431362.html?FMT=ABS&dids=634431362:634431362&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=May+13%2C+1984&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=India+editor+slain+as+violence+spreads |url-status=dead |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021052032/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/634431362.html?FMT=ABS&dids=634431362:634431362&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=May+13,+1984&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=India+editor+slain+as+violence+spreads |archive-date=21 October 2012 |quote=Rioting Hindus set fire to 15 Sikh shops, a bank a library and 15 buses in the city of Jullundur Saturday after terrorists killed a newspaper editor who wrote that Punjab state has become a slaughterhouse. The editor, Ramesh Chander, was shot by four men with...}}</ref> and had written that Punjab had "become a slaughterhouse." Chander was killed in a busy intersection in Jalandhar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Extremists kill Hind Samachar editor, hopes for resumption of talks with Akali leaders die |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19840531-extremists-kill-hind-samachar-editor-hopes-for-resumption-of-talks-with-akali-leaders-die-803654-1984-05-30 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=India Today |date=31 May 1984 |language=en}}</ref> In a call to an Amritsar news agency Dashmesh Regiment claimed responsibility for the killing.<ref name="RameshChanderWilm">{{Cite news |date=13 May 1984 |title=Murder prompts riot |work=Wilimington Morning Star |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y-8VAAAAIBAJ&pg=4690,3148242&dq=ramesh+chander+1984 |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref name="lal79" /> He was arrested by the army after the operation.<ref name="NSTdeath" />

==Khalistan Commando Force== {{See also|List of actions attributed to KCF}}

===Jailbreak=== 7 police officers were killed, and more injured, in a violent attack on the District court in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 1986 |title=The World, section 1 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58572255.html?dids=58572255:58572255&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+06%2C+1986&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=The+World+Sikhs+Kill+Six+Policemen&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023005529/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58572255.html?dids=58572255:58572255&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+06,+1986&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=The+World+Sikhs+Kill+Six+Policemen&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=23 January 2016 |quote=Sikh extremists shot their way into a courthouse in the Punjab city of Jullundur, killed six policemen and freed three prisoners accused of killing a Hindu editor, authorities said.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1986 |title=SIKH GUNMEN SLAY 6 COPS IN PUNJAB |page=14 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/25001922.html?dids=25001922:25001922&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&date=Apr+06%2C+1986&author=Chicago+Tribune+wires&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=SIKH+GUNMEN+SLAY+6+COPS+IN+PUNJAB&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021051813/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/25001922.html?dids=25001922:25001922&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&date=Apr+06,+1986&author=Chicago+Tribune+wires&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=SIKH+GUNMEN+SLAY+6+COPS+IN+PUNJAB&pqatl=google |archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1986 |title=Sikh terrorist kill policemen in Punjab |publisher=The Free-Lance Star |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ag0QAAAAIBAJ&pg=2974,4819350&dq=sukhdev+singh+court |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 1986 |title=Terrorists kill 6 policemen, free prisoners |page=8 |publisher=Ludington Daily News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vc0LAAAAIBAJ&pg=2390,6468990&dq=sukhdev+singh+court |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 1986 |title=Sikhs kill 6, free 3 prisoners |page=A6 |publisher=The Spokesman-Review and Spokane Chronicle |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TRoSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3324,3332405&dq=court+jullundur+police}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="EugeneRG" /> Accounts of the attack, reported on 6 April 1986 in the US, differed.<ref name="LSescape" /> According to an unidentified source in Mahmood's "Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants", the attack was masterminded by Sikh militant leader Manbir Singh Chaheru and his associates.<ref name="lal168">{{Harvnb|Mahmood|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC&dq=general+labh+singh+fighting+for+faith+and+nation&pg=PA168 168?]}}</ref>

"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.<ref name="courierAZ">{{Cite news |date=5 April 1986 |title=Bloody jailbreak in Punjab leaves three officers dead |publisher=The Courier |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yp4OAAAAIBAJ&pg=6832,936053 |access-date=30 September 2009}} {{dead link|date=January 2016}}</ref>

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.<ref name="LSescape" />

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. <ref name="EugeneRG">{{Cite news |date=6 April 1986 |title=Sikh extremists kill 6 policemen, free 3 prisoners |publisher=Eugene Register-Guard |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QGgVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5549,1304617&dq=court+jullundur+police |url-status=dead |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717171703/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QGgVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5549,1304617&dq=court+jullundur+police |archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1986 |title=Sikhs kill 6 in attack outside court |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Julio Ribeiro, then Director General of Punjab Police, described the attack as a "well-throughout plan". According to Ribeiro, Labh Singh was being presented in court under the custody of 7 armed policemen. The officers were attacked by surprise by militants who killed all 7 with not a single officer firing a shot back. Labh Singha and his associates were successfully broken out and escaped.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ribeiro |first=Julio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=89gqAAAACAAJ |title=Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer |date=1999 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-027140-9 |pages=275–276 |language=en}}</ref> This single incident became a basis of Riberio's "Bullet for bullet" policy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=G. V. |date=7 March 1999 |title=Book Review:Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer:'Bullet-for-bullet is not my baby' |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99mar07/book.htm#1 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=Tribuneindia.com}}</ref>

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 {{INRConvert|1.25|m|year=1987}}<ref name="scribd.com">{{Cite web |title=Jail Chithiyan. Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda Ate Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha (Singhs of Keysborough) {{!}} PDF {{!}} South Asia {{!}} Punjab |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/180460421/jail-chithiyan-bhai-harjinder-singh-jinda-ate-bhai-sukhdev-singh-sukha-singhs-of-keysborough |access-date=1 June 2023 |website=Scribd |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601050620/https://www.scribd.com/document/180460421/jail-chithiyan-bhai-harjinder-singh-jinda-ate-bhai-sukhdev-singh-sukha-singhs-of-keysborough |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Asi Attwadi Nahi by Jinda Sukha {{!}} PDF |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/242281164/Asi-Attwadi-Nahi-by-Jinda-Sukha |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>

===Khalistan Command Force 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.<ref name="lal155" /><ref name="encycloextreme" /> 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.<ref name="genterror">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nhuAAAAMAAJ&q=general+labh+singh+jarnail+singh |title=Genesis of terrorism: an analytical study of Punjab terrorists |publisher=Patriot |year=1988 |isbn=9788170500674 |quote=...(KCF) which is headed by General Labh Singh alias Sukhdev Singh alias Sukha Sipahi. Perhaps he continued to maintain his links with the Babbar Khalsa also. |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> Labh Singh united KCF and made KCF into a “cohesive” and “hierarchical” group. Labh Singh also appointed 6 Lieutenant-Generals who oversaw specific territories and led the KCF activities there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Another key leader dies but terrorism survives in Punjab |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880815-another-key-leader-dies-but-terrorism-survives-in-punjab-797572-1988-08-14 |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=India Today |date=15 August 1988 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Assassination of General Vaidya === In 1984, General Arun Vaidya had planned and supervised<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 1986 |title=IN BRIEF; Indian General Who Raided Temple Is Slain |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE3DD1F3EF934A2575BC0A960948260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FS%2FSikhs%20(Sect)}}</ref> Operation Blue Star – a controversial military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Bluestar, 20 Years On |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/03spec.htm |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> 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.

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.<ref name="shrineleaderkilled">Associated Press. "Shrine Leader Killed in Ambush", ''The Dallas Morning News'', 11 August 1986.</ref> According to the police, the assailants pulled up next to his car on motor scooters and fired eight or nine shots into the car.<ref name="topgeneralassasinated">Weisman, Steven R. "A Top Indian General is Assassinated", ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', 11 August 1986.</ref> 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.<ref name="sikhskillexarmycheif">Sun-Times Wires. "Sikhs kill ex-army chief, massacre revenge hinted", ''Chicago Sun-Times'', 11 August 1986.</ref> 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.<ref name="generalcremated">Associated Press. "General cremated; Sikhs admit to killing", c/o ''Houston Chronicle'', 11 August 1986.</ref><ref name="vaidyamurdercase">"The Vaidya Murder Case: Confirming Death Sentences", ''India Abroad''. (New York edition). New York, N.Y.: 24 July 1992. Vol.XXII, Issue. 43; pg.20.</ref> Following the assassination, the Khalistan Commando Force issued a statement declaring that Vaidya had been killed in retaliation for the Operation Blue Star.<ref name="generalcremated" />

==== Revenge killings 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 28 August. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=AISSF Acting Convener Sarbjit Singh Ropar Believed Killed by Police |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/aissf-acting-convener-sarbjit-singh-ropar-believed-killed-by-police/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |date=26 January 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gVlDAAAAYAAJ |title=India Today |date=1986 |publisher=Thomson Living Media India Limited |pages=27 |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists kill six in a family – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/16/Sikh-extremists-kill-six-in-a-family/5401535093200/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 1 September 1986 Labh Singh<ref name=":322"/> assassinated Additional District and Sessions Judge R.P. Gaind. He was shot dead in a shop while on the phone. His wife and daughter witnessed 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikhs assassinate judge in Punjab |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/09/01/Sikhs-assassinate-judge-in-Punjab/3239525931200/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Upi |date=2 September 1986 |title=AROUND THE WORLD; Sikh Gunmen Kill A Judge in Punjab |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/02/world/around-the-world-sikh-gunmen-kill-a-judge-in-punjab.html |access-date=31 May 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=2 September 1986 |title=The World |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-02-mn-13494-story.html |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Attack on Director General of Punjab Police=== {{Main|Attempted assassination of Julio Ribeiro}}

On 3 October 1986, 6 men<ref name="indiatoday.in">{{Cite web |title=Punjab Police chief Julio Francis Ribeiro narrowly escapes terror attack |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19861031-punjab-police-chief-julio-francis-ribeiro-narrowly-escapes-terror-attack-801364-1986-10-30 |access-date=1 June 2023 |website=India Today |date=31 October 1986 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belle |first=G.G. |date=3 October 1986 |title=Disguised Sikhs attack compound of police chief |page=3 |publisher=The Free-Lance Star |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pNAVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6467,1005649&dq=ribeiro+attack+headquarters |url-status=dead |access-date=1 October 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713072745/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pNAVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2BMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6467,1005649&dq=ribeiro+attack+headquarters |archive-date=13 July 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="indiatoday.in" /> One guard was killed, and Ribeiro, his wife, and four other officers were injured. Ribeiro's wound was minor, but his wife was hospitalized.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boca Raton News – Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9PEPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4966,638725&dq=ribeiro+sikh |website=news.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spokane Chronicle – Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a7ISAAAAIBAJ&pg=2548,967763&dq=ribeiro+sikh |website=news.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Free Lance-Star – Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=43EQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6635,476265&dq=ribeiro+sikh |website=news.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tempest |first=Rone |date=4 October 1986 |title=Aide Battling Sikh Terrorism Survives Attack |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-10-04-mn-4029-story.html}}</ref> Khalistan Commando Force later claimed responsibility for this attack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Spokesman-Review – Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MOIRAAAAIBAJ&pg=5113,1949144&dq=ribeiro+sikh |website=news.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> KCF leader Labh Singh allegedly led the attack.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walia |first=Varinder |date=25 January 2002 |title=Panjwar village hums with poll activity |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020125/punjab1.htm |access-date=30 September 2009 |quote=...who was responsible for the attack on Mr J.F. Rebeiro, the then DGP...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Windsor Star |date=24 April 2008 |title=India files complaint over 'martyrs' parade |url=http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=4e9019ee-c9cd-4459-8a1f-e4f08238125e |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123142933/http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=4e9019ee-c9cd-4459-8a1f-e4f08238125e |archive-date=23 January 2016 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=Canada.com |quote=One of those featured – Gen. Labh Singh – led the assassination attempt on the director-general of Punjab police, Julio Ribeiro, in 1986.}}</ref> Harjinder Singh Jinda was also part of the group that attacked Riberio.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lo8AAAAMAAJ |title=IDSA News Review on South Asia/Indian Ocean |date=1987 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |pages=789 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Assassination of Inspector General Trilok Chand Katoch ==== On 11 January 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.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xC0MAQAAMAAJ |title=Keesing's Record of World Events |date=1987 |publisher=Longman |pages=35250 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2023 |title=India Prison Official Slain by Sikhs – Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-11-mn-4089-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412214553/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-11-mn-4089-story.html |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Police commander gunned down in Punjab |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/10/Police-commander-gunned-down-in-Punjab/3126537253200/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Jinda reavled the reasons why Katoch was assassinated in his letters. According to him Katoch had tortured Sikhs and falsely imprisoned them.<ref name="scribd.com" />

=== Sikh moral code === In late March 1987 KCF issued a 13 policy Sikh moral code which all were to adhere to. The policies 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.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=AISSF forces shopkeepers to shut liquor and meat shops in Punjab |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19870430-aissf-forces-shopkeepers-to-shut-liquor-and-meat-shops-in-punjab-798798-1987-04-29 |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=India Today |date=30 April 1987 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

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.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Sikh militants in Punjab, putting a moral edge on... – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/05/10/Sikh-militants-in-Punjab-putting-a-moral-edge-on/5864547617600/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" />

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.<ref name=":7" />

According to Assistant Deputy Inspector General of Police in Jalandhar A.S. Siddiqui the moral code had significant popularity among Sikhs especially those living in the p areas. 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."<ref name=":7" />

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''."<ref name=":7" />

=== Massacres of civlians === Labh Singh masterminded numerous massacres of Hindus.<ref name="IT_1987">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> The massacres in July, killing 74, were the deadliest Punjab had seen. A not e eft on the scene of the first massacre, signed by Labh Singh, stated "the flower of Sikh youth was being killed in Punjab", and in retaliation, a hundred Hindus would be killed for every Sikh killed.<ref name="IT_19875">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> The note accused the Government of India of killing the Sikhs, and Hindus of not raising their voice against these killings.<ref name="AP4">{{cite news |author=Dilip Ganguly |date=1987-07-07 |title=Sikhs Kill 34 Hindus on Two Buses, Bringing Two-Day Toll To 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/7934b6194b2743fb8e54b5ff29feae9d |access-date=2023-01-17 |publisher=AP}}</ref>

==== Lalru massacre ==== {{Main|1987 Lalru bus massacre}} On 6 July 1987 a bus traveling from Chandigarh to Rishikesh, a Hindu holy place. On the night of 6 July 1987, it carried 76 passengers (most of whom were Hindus<ref name="WP_1987">{{cite news |author=Richard M. Weintraub |date=1987-07-07 |title=Gunmen kill 38 passengers on crowded bus in India |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/07/07/gunmen-kill-38-passengers-on-crowded-bus-in-india/4a06cc82-9ab5-4b50-94b6-9cf74e029842/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |agency=Washington Post}}</ref>), when five Sikh militants started trailing it in a car.<ref name="AP">{{cite news |author=Dilip Ganguly |date=1987-07-07 |title=Sikhs Kill 34 Hindus on Two Buses, Bringing Two-Day Toll To 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/7934b6194b2743fb8e54b5ff29feae9d |access-date=2023-01-17 |publisher=AP}}</ref> The car suddenly blocked the bus, and the bus driver Hari Singh (the only Sikh on the bus) stpped the bus. Four armed men came out of the car, threatened him with a sten gun, and hijacked the bus.<ref name="IT_19872">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> The hijackers told the passengers that they were only going to loot them, and started driving along the Grand Trunk Road. The Fiat car followed the bus. They drove the bus for around 8&nbsp;km, while the passengers handed over their jewellery and cash. Around 21:30, just before the Lalru police station near the Punjab-Haryana border, they drove the bus off the main road onto a link road. They then started taunting the passengers, saying "Where is your Riberio now?", referring to Julio Ribeiro . They accused the passengers of laughing at the killings of the Sikh youth, and asked them to chant the Sikh phrase ''Sat Naam Wahe Guru'' ("Truth is the name of God").<ref name="IT_19873">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> They shouted "Make sure all Hindus are dead, you will see more blood if more Sikhs are killed!", referring to the anti-insurgent operations in Punjab.<ref name="AP2">{{cite news |author=Dilip Ganguly |date=1987-07-07 |title=Sikhs Kill 34 Hindus on Two Buses, Bringing Two-Day Toll To 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/7934b6194b2743fb8e54b5ff29feae9d |access-date=2023-01-17 |publisher=AP}}</ref> The hijackers stopped the bus between Jamalpur and Hasanpur villages, ordered the remaining passengers to huddle in the middle of the bus, and started shooting from both ends.<ref name="IT_19874">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> The shooting lasted for about 5 minutes, and resulted in the death of 38 people, including 5 women and 4 children. Savitri Devi, a 28-year-old woman who was killed in the attack, saved her husband and their 5-month old daughter by shielding them from the bullets.<ref name="AP3">{{cite news |author=Dilip Ganguly |date=1987-07-07 |title=Sikhs Kill 34 Hindus on Two Buses, Bringing Two-Day Toll To 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/7934b6194b2743fb8e54b5ff29feae9d |access-date=2023-01-17 |publisher=AP}}</ref> A woman named Kalawati, jumped off the bus holding her three young children, and survived.<ref name="IT_19874" /><ref name="WP_19872">{{cite news |author=Richard M. Weintraub |date=1987-07-07 |title=Gunmen kill 38 passengers on crowded bus in India |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/07/07/gunmen-kill-38-passengers-on-crowded-bus-in-india/4a06cc82-9ab5-4b50-94b6-9cf74e029842/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |agency=Washington Post}}</ref> 32 people were injured in the attack.<ref name="WP_19872" />

==== Fatehabad massacre ==== {{Main|1987 Fatehabad bus massacre}} After abandoning the Lalru bus, the militants stopped an Ambassador car, shot the driver dead, and drove the car towards Fatehabad. Around 1 km later, they stopped another Haryana Roadways bus going to Sirsa. This time, they did not board the overcrowded bus, and fired at the passengers from outside, possibly because they were in a hurry to leave. The shooting left 34 people dead.<ref name="IT_19876">{{cite journal |author1=Tavleen Singh |author2=Sreekant Khandekar |date=1987-07-31 |title=Terrorists kill bus passengers in Punjab and Haryana mercilessly |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870731-terrorists-kill-bus-passengers-in-punjab-and-haryana-mercilessly-799092-1987-07-30 |journal=India Today |access-date=2023-11-23}}</ref> Apart from the 34 dead, 18 people were injured in the attack.<ref name="AP5">{{cite news |author=Dilip Ganguly |date=1987-07-07 |title=Sikhs Kill 34 Hindus on Two Buses, Bringing Two-Day Toll To 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/7934b6194b2743fb8e54b5ff29feae9d |access-date=2023-01-17 |publisher=AP}}</ref>The attackers then hijacked a truck, and drove to the Punjab border via Fatehabad and Ratia. The truck was found at the Marianwala village near Batala; its various parts including the engine and the tires, were missing.<ref name="IT_19876" />

=== Attacks on security forces === In November 1986 in a phone call to news organizations Labh Singh claimed responsibility for the killing of 4 members of a police patrol near Amritsar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh separatists claim responsibility for slaying of police – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/20/Sikh-separatists-claim-responsibility-for-slaying-of-police/8455532846800/ |access-date=15 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 27 April 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 seriously wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh gunmen storm court building and free three jailed colleagues – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/04/27/Sikh-gunmen-storm-court-building-and-free-three-jailed-colleagues/6186546494400/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikhs free imprisoned colleagues in shootout – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/04/27/Sikhs-free-imprisoned-colleagues-in-shootout/9656546494400/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 14 July 1987, retired Head Constable Darshan Singh was killed in his field in Miarpur, Gurdaspur by Labh Singh and fellow militants. Darshan, before retiring, was the bodyguard of DSP Gurbachan Singh who Labh Singh had also killed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WVw8AAAAMAAJ&q=khalistan+commando+force+police+informant |title=IDSA News Review on South Asia/Indian Ocean |date=June 1987 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |pages=1241 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=Ranbir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5wSYAAAACAAJ |title=Struggle for Justice: Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale |date=1 August 1999 |publisher=Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation |isbn=978-0-9672874-1-6 |pages=53 |language=en}}</ref>

On 8 September 1987 Labh Singh claimed responsibility for an attack on a Central Reserve Police Force jeep killing 3 officers and injuring 4 in Bhikhiwind.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=8 September 1987 |title=ਭਿੱਖੀਵਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਸੀ.ਆਰ.ਪੀ.ਐੱਫ. ਦੀ ਜੀਪ 'ਤੇ ਘਾਤ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਹਮਲਾ: 3 ਹਲਾਕ, 4 ਜ਼ਖ਼ਮੀ |work=Jag Bani |pages=3, 6}}</ref> The CRPF jeep was ambushed in a surprise attack and amongst the killed were 2 constables and 1 company commander. 4others survived, but were in critical condition. Labh Singh called United Press of India and claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref name=":3" />

=== Bank robberies === In September 1986 KCF members under Labh Singh robbed a bank in Talwara. The bank manager was killed and {{INRConvert|29|k|year=1987}} was stolen.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cKBKAQAAIAAJ |title=Frontline |date=25 July 1997 |publisher=S. Rangarajan for Kasturi & Sons |pages=113 |language=en}}</ref>

On 29 September 1986, KCF members under Labh Singh robbed a bank in Tar Taran Sahib. The bank manager was killed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zyKHAAAAMAAJ |title=Perspectives on Human Rights |date=2000 |publisher=Anamika Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-86565-80-3 |pages=93 |language=en}}</ref>

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. {{INRConvert|2000|k|year=1987}} were stolen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh Terrorists Rob Bank, Kill Five |url=https://apnews.com/article/a2d9183391296e26f8e38a64357426fc |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists kill three in bank robbery |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/10/30/Sikh-extremists-kill-three-in-bank-robbery/9832531032400/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

In October 1986 Labh Singh and his fellow militants robbed {{INRConvert|1023|k|year=1987}} from a bank in Ludhiana.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6osMAQAAMAAJ |title=India Today |date=1988 |publisher=Living Media India Pvt. Limited |pages=32 |language=en}}</ref>

In October 1986 Labh Singh and his fellow militants robbed {{INRConvert|800|k|year=1987}} from the Millar Ganj branch of the Punjab National Bank, Ludhiana.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=82}}</ref>

On 5 May 1987 KCF members under Labh Singh robbed {{INRConvert|850|k|year=1987}} from the Bank of India branch in Guru Amar Das market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KCF ultra acquitted in bank robbery case – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kcf-ultra-acquitted-in-bank-robbery-case/236357/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>

==== India's biggest bank robbery ==== In February 1987 Labh Singh allegedly masterminded<ref name="masterbank" /> what was at that time the largest bank robbery in Indian history, netting {{INRConvert|57|m|year=1987}} from the Millar Ganj branch of the Punjab National Bank, Ludhiana;<ref name="masterbank" /> a part of this stolen money belonged to the Reserve Bank of India, India's central bank.<ref name="LATimesMasq" /><ref name="CSTbankrob" /> It was documented as the "Biggest Bank Robbery" under "Curiosities and wonders" in the Limca Book of Records.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IP1tAAAAMAAJ&q=Biggest+bank |title=Limca Book of Records |publisher=Bisleri Beverages Ltd. |year=1999 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> The loot enabled the Khalistan Commando Force to buy sophisticated weapons<ref name="RamKumar">{{Cite book |last=Kumar |first=Ram Narayan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WD9uAAAAMAAJ |title=The Sikh unrest and the Indian state: politics, personalities, and historical retrospective |publisher=Ajanta Publications, India |year=1997 |isbn=9788120204539 |page=445 |quote=It was only after the big bank robbery at Ludhiana in February 1987 that they could purchase sophisticated weapons; there was only one sten gun in the entire state.}}</ref> and AK-47 rifles.<ref name="IandS" /> Sikh militants often used bank robberies to finance their campaign against the Indian government.<ref name="LATimesMasq" />

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".<ref name="CSTbankrob" />

Khalistan Commando Force members who allegedly participated in the robbery included Harjinder Singh Jinda, Mathra Singh,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YqBtAAAAMAAJ&q=biggest+bank+robbery+ |title=Asian Recorder, Issue 28 |publisher=K. K. Thomas at Recorder Press |year=1987 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> Paramjit Singh Panjwar,<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2008 |title=Paramjit Singh Panjwar (Khalistan Commando Force) |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Paramjit-Singh-Panjwar--Khalistan-Commando-Force-/394235 |access-date=23 January 2016 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> Satnam Singh Bawa,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YqBtAAAAMAAJ&q=robbery |title=Asian recorder – Google Books |date=26 August 2008 |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> Gurnam Singh Bundala,<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 1998 |title=Police arrest 'dead' terrorist |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19981012/28551244.html |access-date=9 August 2009 |website=The Indian Express}} {{dead link|date=January 2016}}</ref> Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Daljit Singh Bittu,<ref name="expressindia1">{{Cite news |last=Chaudhry |first=Amrita |date=1 October 2006 |title=Gursharan Singh Gama arrested |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=203376 |publisher=cities.expressindia.com}}{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="indiarightsonline1">{{Cite web |title=Killers of Lalit Maken held |url=http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/armed1.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/308bbafc7afcad6fe5256be600458270/$FILE/bac37002.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025322/http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/armed1.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/308bbafc7afcad6fe5256be600458270/%24FILE/bac37002.pdf |archive-date=13 July 2011 |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhry |first=Amrita |date=14 September 2005 |title=Dreaded militant Daljit Singh alias Bittu gets parole for marriage |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=148524 |access-date=30 August 2009 |publisher=cities.expressindia.com}}{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Gursharan Singh Gamma<ref name="expressindia1" /><ref name="indiarightsonline1" /> and Pritpal Singh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News & Current Events |url=http://www.ministryoftruth.org.uk/category/news-current-events/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506013039/http://www.ministryoftruth.org.uk/category/news-current-events/ |archive-date=6 May 2010 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=Ministry of Truth}}</ref>

=== Attacks on alleged police informants === On 12 January 1987 Labh Singh claimed responsibility for the killing of Mohinder Kaur, her two daughters, and a house worker for being police informants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists kill six in Punjab – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/12/Sikh-extremists-kill-six-in-Punjab/6443537426000/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 21 September 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh priest says he was beaten – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/21/Sikh-priest-says-he-was-beaten/1279559195200/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 30 March 1988, KCF killed Naranjan Singh in Dilwan for being a police informant.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2YzAAAAIBAJ&dq=khalistan+commando+force&pg=PA12&article_id=3584,3871638 |title=Lodi News-Sentinel |publisher=Lodi News-Sentinel |language=en}}</ref>

=== Killing of Communists === Communists were targeted by many Sikh militant organizations and leaders. They were especially targeted by Labh Singh who was the mastermind of multiple targeted killings. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale called them the "arch enemies of the panth,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Killing of communist leaders in Punjab makes Left parties more firm in opposing terrorism |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19861031-killing-of-communist-leaders-in-punjab-makes-left-parties-more-firm-in-opposing-terrorism-801383-1986-10-30 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=India Today |date=31 October 1986 |language=en}}</ref>

* In September 1986 Labh Singh killed Darshan Singh Canadian an MLA and party leader of the Communist Party of India.<ref name="apnews.com">{{Cite web |title=Sikh Extremists Kill Second Communist Leader |url=https://apnews.com/article/3f118498e9e73202009d4a7fdffaabea |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> Darshan Singh opposed Sikh militants and Khalistan supporting NRI Sikhs. He actively campaigned against both.<ref name="enpp">{{Cite book |last=Ralhan, O. P. |title=Encyclopaedia of Political Parties |year=2002 |isbn=81-7488-865-9 |pages=1165–1171}}</ref> * 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''<ref name="Hirawal Dasta">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2007 |title=Militancy Scenario in Punjab |url=http://pbplanning.gov.in/pdf/CS%20conference%2021-04-2007.pdf |access-date=15 June 2015 |website=Punjab Government}}</ref><ref name="HirawalMann">{{Cite web |date=September 1992 |title=Bleeding Punjab : A Report to the Nation |url=http://www.bannedthought.net/India/ML-Groups/CPI-ML-CentralTeam/TheBleedingPunjab-AReport-Sept1992.pdf |access-date=1 October 2018 |website=Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist)}}</ref> Baldev was gunned down by 4 men in his home village near Amritsar. He was walking with his brother who escaped unhurt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gunned down by Khalistani terrorists, Baldev Singh Mann also fought state repression |date=9 October 2021 |url=https://www.counterview.net/2021/10/gunned-down-by-khalistani-terrorists.html |access-date=14 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="apnews.com" /> * On 16 February 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Bhupinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rik0EAAAQBAJ&dq=Chanan+Singh+Dhoot+killed&pg=PT53 |title=Punjab Politics: Retrospect and Prospect |publisher=Readworthy |isbn=978-93-5018-082-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=ਧੂਤ ਦੇ ਕਤਲ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਜਿੰਦਾ ਨੇ ਲਈ-ਪੁਲਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਖਤ ਤਾੜਨਾ |work=Ajit}}</ref> * On 19 May 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.<ref name="IDSA">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WVw8AAAAMAAJ&q=Deepak%20Dhawan |title=Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies |year=1987 |pages=987, 994}}</ref><ref name="CPIMBook">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jyAmAAAAMAAJ |title=CPI(M) in Punjab: The Martyrs of the Struggle for National Unity |publisher=Communist Party of India (Marxist) |year=1987 |page=20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 October 2012 |title=Ghosts of Khalistan |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/ghosts-of-khalistan/article3978880.ece |access-date=16 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=No change in Punjab under President's rule, terrorists kill three people in Tarn Taran area |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19870615-no-change-in-punjab-under-presidents-rule-terrorists-kill-three-people-in-tarn-taran-area-798943-1987-06-14 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=India Today |date=15 June 1987 |language=en}}</ref><ref>ਜੋ ਲਾਰੇ ਦੀਨ ਕੇ ਹੇਤ book in Punjabi by Loveshinder Singh Dalewal</ref> * On 22 July 1987 KCF members under Labh Singh entered the farmhouse of Swaran Singh an 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nine killed in Sikh terror attacks – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/07/22/Nine-killed-in-Sikh-terror-attacks/4105553924800/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=23 July 1987 |title=The World |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-23-mn-5665-story.html |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> * Under Labh Singh in 1987 KCF members on motorcycles shot dead Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Dr. Gurdial Singh.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C6HaAAAAMAAJ |title=Documents of the Communist Movement in India: 1987–1988 |date=1997 |publisher=National Book Agency |isbn=978-81-7626-000-8 |pages=359 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SagsAAAAIAAJ |title=CPI(M) in Punjab: The Martyrs of the Struggle for National Unity |date=1987 |publisher=Communist Party of India (Marxist) |pages=27 |language=en}}</ref> * On 13 March 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists kill six, wound five – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/03/13/Sikh-extremists-kill-six-wound-five/3759574232400/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> * On 17 March 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2013 |title=Gurpreet Singh: Khalistani separatists' killings leave a legacy of sorrow in Canada and the U.S. |url=https://www.straight.com/news/389916/gurpreet-singh-khalistani-separatists-killings-leave-legacy-sorrow-canada-and-us |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=The Georgia Straight |language=en}}</ref> * On 23 March 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2017 |title=Revolution is a Poem: Why a Punjabi poet killed by Khalistanis is ruffling feathers in contemporary India? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/avtar-singh-sandhu-pash-pash-was-assassinated-in-1988-because-he-spoke-up-against-khalistani-militants-significant-in-resistance-politics-4879677/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhardwaj |first=Deeksha |date=9 September 2018 |title=On Pash's birthday, remembering the fiery poet killed so young by terrorists |url=https://theprint.in/features/on-pashs-birthday-remembering-the-fiery-poet-killed-so-young-by-terrorists/114775/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 April 2013 |title=Paash's relative seeks clemency for Bhullar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/paash-s-relative-seeks-clemency-for-bhullar/story-yY189usat80KM1PMVOjt2J.html |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Death and aftermath== In June 1988, the Panthic committee appointed Labh Singh a high priest,<ref name="NSTdeath" /> but on 12 July 1988 he was killed<ref name="TerrorismInContext">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC |title=Terrorism in Context |date=1 January 1995 |publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press |isbn=978-0-271-01015-1 |editor-last=Martha Crenshaw |page=399 |access-date=30 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Puneet Singh Lamba |title=A Timeline of Sikh Religious and Political History |url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/sikhism_timeline.html |access-date=23 January 2016 |website=The Sikh Times}}</ref> in an encounter with police near Tanda, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.<ref name="NSTdeath" /><ref name="PunjabEndgame">{{Cite journal |last=Gill |first=K.P.S. |date=May 1999 |title=Endgame In Punjab: 1988–1993 |url=http://satp.org/satporgtp/publication/faultlines/volume1/fault1-kpstext.htm |journal=Faultlines |publisher=Institute for Conflict Management |volume=1 |issue=1 |page=29 |access-date=25 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Punjab Backgrounder |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/punjab/backgrounder/index.html |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=Satp.org}}</ref><ref name="MHdeath">{{Cite news |last=Herald Wire Services |date=13 July 1988 |title=IN THE WORLD, front section |edition=FINAL |page=2A |work=The Miami Herald |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3389227357B84&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |quote=Security forces killed one of India's most wanted Sikh militants Tuesday and said his death was a major blow to the biggest group fighting for an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab state. They said Sukhdev Singh, a self-styled "lieutenant general" of the Khalistan Commando Force, was shot dead when he tried to evade a police patrol in the state's Hoshiarpur district. |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=27 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062529/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3389227357B84&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=dead }}</ref> He had a bounty of 100,000 rupees at the time. (Around 1,120,000 rupees in 2023. Around 14,000 USD in 2023)<ref name=":322"/>

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.<ref name="NSTdeath" /> Amritsar Police Superintendent Suresh Arora said "We have broken the back of the KCF. Sukhdev Singh was the most dreaded of the terrorists."<ref name="NSTdeath">{{Cite news |date=13 July 1988 |title=Top Sikh extremist shot dead by Indian police |work=New Straits Times |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ULkTAAAAIBAJ&pg=6723,2918806&dq=1988+sikh |access-date=23 January 2016}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

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.”<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gen. Labh Singh leaves behind a code of ethics for militants as a parting gift |pages=1 |work=World Sikh News}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Kin of slain" />

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."<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce J. M. |url=http://archive.org/details/sikhsofpunjabunh0000pett |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence |date=1995 |publisher=London; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=201–202}}</ref>

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."<ref name=":1" />

After Labh Singh’s death many ''Ardas'' and ''bhogs'' were done across the globe by Sikh diaspora.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=Sikh Society of Ottawa Performs Akhand Path For Labh Singh |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/sikh-society-of-ottawa-performs-akhand-path-for-labh-singh/ |access-date=30 September 2023 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |date=28 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Kanwaljit Singh Sultanwind succeeded Labh Singh as leader of the KCF.<ref name="tribuneindia2001" />

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.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce |date=1991 |title=Songs of the Sikh Resistance Movement |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/834379 |journal=Asian Music |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=85–118 |doi=10.2307/834379 |jstor=834379 |issn=0044-9202|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 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.”<ref name=":9" />

The Tribune India reported in July 2006 that a ''Bhog'' (Sikh religious ceremony) for Labh Singh was held "in the past few months".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Ajay |title=MSP hike rejected as too meagre |publisher=tribuneindia.com |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060729/punjab1.htm |access-date=23 January 2016 |quote=Sources in the Punjab Police said at least six bhog ceremonies had been conducted in the past few months and their growing number had caused worry. These include the bhog to remember "general" Labh Singh of the Khalistan Commando Force |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025638/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060729/punjab1.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== See also == *Khalistan Movement *List of actions attributed to KCF

== Footnotes == {{reflist}}

== References == *{{Cite book |last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC |title=Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-8122-1592-2 |edition=illustrated |page=314}} *{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Gurpreet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ |title=Terrorism: Punjab's recurring nightmare |last2=Jaswal |first2=Gourav |publisher=Sehgal Book Distributors |year=1996}}

== External links == *{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Charanjit Singh |date=Spring 2005 |title=Counterterrorism: Punjab: A Case Study |url=http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/retrieve/726/etd1604.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706203926/http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/retrieve/726/etd1604.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2011 |access-date=23 January 2016 |website=Master's Thesis – MA in Criminology |publisher=Simon Fraser University |page=234}}

{{s-start}} {{succession box | before = Manbir Singh Chaheru|title = Leader Khalistan Commando Force| years = 1986–1988 | after = Kanwarjit Singh Sultanwind}} {{s-end}} {{Khalistan movement}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Labh}} Category:Punjabi Sikhs Category:Khalistan movement people Category:Indian police officers Category:1952 births Category:1988 deaths Category:People from Amritsar district Category:Sikh terrorism Category:People shot dead by law enforcement officers in India Category:Bank robbers Category:Sikh warriors Category:20th-century police officers