NEW DELHL Aug. 15, Reuter: Gunmen today raided two villages in India’s Punjab State and fired indiscriminately killing six people, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The killings coincided with the 40th anniversary of India’s Independence and raised the death toll in the past 24 hours to 13.
Gunmen had stepped up their attacks ahead of Independence Day celebrations and security in
New Delhi had been tightened. PTI said two gunmen riding a motor scooter raided the villages
in Kapurthala district and indiscriminately fired on villagers. At least three people were wounded.
Five people, including four members of a family, were shot dead last night near India’s border with Pakistan.
Two other killings were also reported from Punjab where the death toll for August has mounted to 79. More than 700 people have been killed so far this year.
Sikhs are fighting for an independent homeland to be called Khalistan, or land of the pure.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 21, 1987
