CHANDIGARH(PT)):Satnam Singh Chinna, chief of the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan, was killed by Punjab Police allegedly in an encounter. Punjab police chief K.P.S.Gill said that the militant carried a reward of Rs two million. He said militants involved in militant activities in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh had been killed and only a couple of militants were left in Punjab, He said police laid a patrol on the link road near Khiala Kalan village at 0100 hrs. Two hours later a car with Chinna in it was asked to stop. Gill said a person ran out of the car into the nearby fields and fired at the police who returned fire, the exchange continued for about 45 minutes, the DGP said adding that later a body identified as that of Sanam Singh Chinna was recovered. Gill said Satnam Singh Chinna joined the extremists in 1984 and was initially with K.C.F. led by GenLabh Singh. He had close links with the I.S.T. of Pakistan and top militants of Punjab currently camping in Pakistan. Police trailed Chinna on the basis of information provided by Dr.Sohan Singh.
Panthie Committee Chief arrested recently.
The DGP said during operation Black Thunder at the Golden Temple in 1988 many of Chinna’s associates, including Malkiat Singh Ajnala, Karaj Singh Thande, Nirvair Singh and Chanchal Singh Udoke, were arrested.
He said Chinna then formed a separate gang and joined BTFK led by Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochal. He was the main person who arranged the procurement of arms and ammunition from across the border, the D.G.P. said. Gill said due to some differences with Manochahal he joined the Sangha faction of the BTFK and was made the deputy chief of this outfit. After the killing of Sukhwinder Singh Sangha and Rachhpal Singh Chandra, Chinna became the chief of the BTFK about two and a half years ago. Toa query Gill said it was for the Punjab government to allow the relatives of Dr.Sohan Singh to meet him at the Seonak forest rest house jail near here. Dr,Sohan Singh was being detained by the Indian Govt. under National Security Act.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 3, 1993
