AMRITSAR, India: The security forces have launched a major offensive against the freedom fighters in this district. This is in sequel to an ambush by the gunmen who killed three C.R.PF. men and injured four others near Bhikiwind. The current mopping up operation, which is expected to last one week, has been masterminded by the C.RP.F. Inspector General K. Subramanian who is presently camping here to monitor its progress.

In an interview Subramaniam explained that the security forces have been assigned and the planning has been done on the basis of information received from arrested freedom fighters in the recent past. The raids on the freedom fighters’ hideouts will be carried out in a systematic manner. Subramaniam said that it is for the first time that CR PF. has lost a gazetted officer. S.K. Mishra was a Deputy Supt. who died in the Sept. 7ambush which was 18th in the series since Jan. 6, 1986. He said that C.R.P.F. has lost 26 men while 50 others were injured. The number of causalities during the ‘current calendar year was 17. Remaining nine personnel were Killed in 1986, Among the injured, 10 were hurt in the current year out of 18 cases of ambush 12 took place in Amritsar, one in Jullundur, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Kapurthala. Among the killed besides Mishra who was D.S.P. were three inspectors, four L/Naiks and 11 constables.

Subramaniam disclosed that as. A result of ambush a new strategy has been evolved for the patrolling parties.

In reply to a question, Subramaniam said that bullet proof jackets were being recommended to be given to the patrolling parties at the same time a high level exercise is underway to make available carbines for the security forces. Although they could fight with light machine guns when faced with gunmen who had recently acquired Chinese AK 47 rifles, but the security forces found themselves at a disadvantage. A senior officers assessing the necessity of acquiring carbines for the security men, Mr. Subramaniam added. Subramaniam added that there ‘was no inhibition on the part of the security forces to enter Golden Temple Complex. At times there very specific information that freedom fighters were sitting in a particular room. Regarding the fact that decision making rests somewhere else, I have no comment, he added.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 18, 1987