NEW DELHI: An Indian intelligence report emanating from Punjab claims that Babbar Khalsa International is trying to obtain stinger missiles to endanger aircraft movement in Khalistan. The report submitted to the Indian government authorities says that Pakistan of late has been supplying weapons to Sikh freedom fighters free of cost. In addition Sikh groups themselves arranged Rs I crore to buy weapons. Of this amount weapons worth Rs 80 lakh have already reached Punjab through Gujarat and Rajasthan borders Sikh groups are also said to be negotiating with Haji Fazal an arms dealer operating in the north-western area of Pakistan. The report further estimates the number of weapons held by Sikh militants at 1543 A.K.17s 106 rocket launchers 112 general purpose machine guns and several quintals of explosives. It says that the number of Sikh militants in Punjab and elsewhere at present is 1107. There has been fresh recruitment of freedom fighters in Punjab even after the Indian security forces killed almost 2000 Sikh fighters. The recruitment has taken place in the Khalistan Liberation Force and Khalistan Commando Force (Panjvar) The addition to the ranks of the two militant groups according to the intelligence report has taken place mostly in Tam Taran area Besides the report talks of cooperation between Babbar Khalsa and Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan in Chamkaur Saheb Morinda Kharar and Kurali in Ropar district. The report says that the militants are quietly trying to regroup and reorganize themselves. They are deliberately avoiding confrontation with Indian security forces and are striking at targets of their choice to make their presence felt.
The intelligence report shows that the Indian security forces are in a state of low morale while the militants on the other hand are in high spirits despite serious reverses suffered by them recently at the hands of Indian security forces.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 4, 1992
