AMRITSAR, India: The security forces entered the Golden Temple Complex in search of freedom fighters suspected to be involved in the ambush of the C.R.P. F. party in which one head constable was killed and a constable was injured seriously. The incident took place on Sultanvind Road on the outskirts of Sukhagvikhe near an old grave yard. A jeep carrying 8 men was ambushed around 2 a.m. Head constable and the driver thak were hit and the driver lost control of the vehicle.

According to an official spokesman the C.R.P.F. had returned the fire which lasted 10 minutes. Freedom fighters managed to escape in a car parked at some distance. Police recovered nearly 30 empty Shells. Freedom fighters whose number could not be determined allegedly used three types of weapons including Chinese made. Automatic rifles. The security men also found a wrist watch left behind the fleeing freedom fighters. Jatinder Yadav who was hit in the head struggled for life in Guru Teg Bahadur for five hours before he succumbed to injuries.

 The injured driver is stated to be out of danger. Before starting a room to room search the security forces raided the Complex. No movement was permitted for two and a half hour after the operation started at 4.a.m. The security forces did not enter Parkarma but only confined to residential quarters including Guru Ram Das Langar, Akal Rest House, Teja Singh Samundari Hall and Guru Nanak Nivas.

A unit of C.R.P.F. closed the road dividing the Temple and the offices. The S.G.P.C. employees on duty said that at least 2530 persons were rounded up from different rooms. They also alleged that the security men broke open the locks of two rooms even a private room in a nearby Sarai was not spared during the operation.

Baldev Singh, S.P., said’ that except for four persons Gurdip Singh, Major Singh, Gumukh Singh, and all others have been let. A case has been registered against the four under various I.P.C. sections besides booking them under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 24, 1987