TARN TARAN: The Indian Security forces including national security guards and para military commandos have launched a major offensive against the Sikh militants in this border police district.

The Highly placed sources said that 600 commandos including 100 odd black cats of the national security guards have been moved to carry out what is called the “screen operations” of the Mand area, It is said that 30 additional companies of BSF has also been called in the mand for intensive search.

The major operation which began shortly after mid night on Friday, is conducted simultaneously in mand areas of Tarn Taran, Patti, Khem Karan, Valtoha, Bhikhiwind and Harike Police stations. More than 4,000 police and para military forces are taking part in this offensive.

Punjab police chief KPS Gill who is staying here for the last 4 days and other top officers of the paramilitary forces are monitoring the operation, which will continue round the clock. The decision to utilize the services of national security guards and 500 commandos ‘was taken at the highest level meeting held at New Delhi where the combing strategy was chalked out to deal with the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and also the increasing attacks on the security forces. These personals are Statutorily barred from any legal prosecution.

This operation was planned after the receipt of the intelligence information that some additional 200 Sikh militants have crossed over into India with some ultra-modern and sophisticated weapons. Chidambaram the Union Home Minister of state, who visited this area two days ago held series of meetings with the senior security officers to review the planning of the operation which is first Major operation against the Sikh militants in this area.

The commando officer who is participating in the coming operation told the newsmen that they have been assigned the special task of organizing raids to identify the hideouts of the militants in the pockets of Valtoha and Bhikhiwind areas during the night. The security forces are carrying out house to house search.

In many villages known to have several hideouts of the militants the entire population is asked to vacate their houses. The searches are also being carried in farm

houses Dharam Salas and Sikh temples.

According to an official source certain militants have acquired stringer missiles. These missiles according to Bhai Inder Singh Brar, were purchases from Afghan Majahdins with the help of Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan Army. Brar was recently captured by the security forces, along with his five colleagues, and were later killed in a staged encounter near Jandiala on July 24. These militants belonged to Babbar Khalsa. These stinger missiles were purchases with the amount of Rs 40 lakhs from the Mujahadeen the police spokesman added.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 11, 1989