CANDIGARH, India: The Punjab police and the Para-military forces conducted a major ‘operation in Mund Area and detained about 200 youngmen besides recovering few arms and ammunition and also raided the residential complex of a historical gurdwara in Amritsar, according to official reports received here, Police and paramilitary personnel jointly conducted one of the biggest offensives against the freedom fighters in Mund Area in Amritsar, Kapurthala and Ferozepur districts. A squadron of helicopters apart from mechanized motorboats and bulldozers were also pressed into service during the operation. The Director General of Police, Mr. J.S. Ribeiro who supervised the operation along with the Punjab State Minister for Home, Mr. Kanwaljit Singh, senior C.R.P.F and B.S.F officers said that eight hard Core freedom fighters escaped in the elephant gass before the hovering helicopters landed at the ICE land 8 km wide and 35 km long. Mr. Ribeiro said that the massive operation was still continuing. The ICE land where the helicopters landed was located opposite Munda, Karmowal village in District Amritsar. Mr. Ribeiro said that the massive manhunt was aimed to arrest eight freedom fighters who had escaped. Security forces were keeping watch in the neck deep water in the two rivers flowing in the area. He said that the eight freedom fighters were sitting in mud hut when the security forces arrived on the scene. Mr. Ribeiro said one of the helicopters engaged in the operation crashed while lying low. However, sources in the adjoining villages claimed that the freedom fighters escaped after shooting down the helicopter. The pilot of the helicopter who was injured seriously in the incident has been hospitalized.
About 2000 persons of the Para military forces and Punjab police ‘were involved in the operation which began early on the morning July 18. After the operation, entire area, spreading 17 km between rivers Sutlej and Beas, was sealed off. Security personnel also conducted search in at least 25 villages lying along the Mund Area. Even the thick patches of wild grass at the bed of the river Beas were combed and burned. The Police said freedom fighters were operating in league with the criminal elements. These criminal elements provided shelter to the freedom fighters that in tum were promised safety and security against police.
The police and paramilitary personnel raided the residential complex of a gurdwara Tarn Taran in Amritsar district on the night of July 18th and rounded up six people for interrogation. The police said that the raid was conducted following information that some wanted freedom fighters were staying in the Sarai of Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran Sahib and other parts of the Complex.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 25, 1986
