Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala (29 June 1966 – 29 July 1992) was a Sikh militant and the third Jathedar of the Khalistan Liberation Force. Budhsinghwala's organization, KLF, was one of the most active and main Sikh militant groups during the insurgency in Punjab, India. Budhsinghwala had KLF join the Sohan Singh Panthic Committee and partnered with Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar), Babbar Khalsa, Bhindranwale Tiger Force (Sangha), and Sikh Student Federation (Bittu) in militant actions.
He has been accused of planning and carrying out attacks that killed over 1,000 people including some major acts such as the killing the police chief of Patiala district, Avinder Singh Brar and his junior, an assassination attempt on Beant Singh, an attack on chief of Punjab Police DGP Mangat, an attack on former chief of Punjab Police JF Riberio in Romania, an attack India's Home Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, killing Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Balwant Singh, a role in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, along with various attacks on police, CRPF, NSG, BSF, and the Indian army and a massacre in Moga.
Early life and family Gurjant Singh was born in the village of Budhsinghwala in a Brar Jat Sikh family of, Faridkot district (modern day Moga district) on 29 June 1966. He had four siblings — one sister and three brothers. After allegedly being tortured by the police multiple times, he joined the KLF in 1986.
Another factor that contributed to his joining of KLF was the killing of 8 Sikh militants on 6 April 1984, at Bibi Kahan Kaur Gurdwara in Moga by CRPF, BSF, and Punjab Police. Among the dead was Budhsinghwala's grand uncle.
In June 1985, during Operation Blue Star, he was arrested from Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Moga. He was kept in jail for 2 years and was released after his case came to court.
Early militancy
Budhsinghwala's first act was the killing Sarpanch Dhana Singh. Dhana was accused of being a police informant. Budhsinghwala along with his cousin Jaga Singh and older brother Kulwant Singh killed Dhana. Jaga and Kulwant were arrested and put in Faridkot jail over this incident. Gurjant was arrested but was given house arrest temporarily. He escaped during this period and according to his brother said farewell to his entire family.
Member of Malwa Kesri Commando Force After fleeing from house arrest, he joined the Malwa Kesri Commando Force, a local militant group. It was under this group, that Budhsinghwala attacked home of a police informant. He was also accused of killing Additional District and Sessions Judge R. P. Gaind in Jalandhar.
Head of Malwa Kesri Commando Force After Malwa Kesri Commando Force leader, Waryam Singh, was killed in a fake encounter Budhsinghwala was put in charge. It is said that after Budhsinghwala was proclaimed head of Malwa Kesari Commando Force he vowed to kill those who killed Waryam Singh.
Soon after, three involved in Waryama Singh's death were killed by Budhsinghwala using Sten Guns. One killed was the Sarpanch of Rode Joginder Singh who had given information that led to Waryam Singh's death. Sarpanch Joginder Singh with three of his aides were making their way to a bus stop. They met a few Sikhs who were dressed as farmers, but were actually members of the Malwa Kesri Commando Force. The militants told the Sarpanch and his aides to try and run, as they had come to get revenge. They ran. As they ran the militants opened fire, killing three, with one of the aides managing to flee.
Soon Malwa Kesri Commando Force merged with Khalistan Liberation Force.
Lieutenant-General of Khalistan Liberation Force Budhsinghwala's group, Malwa Kesri Commando Force, merged with Khalistan Liberation Force during its founding in late 1986 and he was soon after made Lieutenant-General of KLF by Avtar Singh Brahma.
As Lieutenant-General he would discuss each and every action of KLF before hand with fellow higher ups to see if it was morally just or not and if it fit Sikh values.
Killing of police officers One of Budhsinghwala's first actions was in September 1987. The target was S.H.O. (Station house officer) Sub-Inspector Mith Singh. Mith Singh had been hand-picked by then chief of Punjab Police Julio F. Riberio. He was picked to deal with Budhsinghwala. Mith Singh had been accused of police brutality and targeting Budhsinghwala's family and father. Budhsinghwala began plotting to kill Mith Singh in revenge for his actions with Husan Singh and Babbar Khalsa members. The attack was carried out by Budshinghwala and fellow Sikh militants on 15 September 1987 at around 9 in the morning. Mith Singh was shot while he was walking along with his guard, a police constable. Both of their guns were taken by Budhsinghwala. In the crossfire a schoolboy was also killed and five others were injured. The killing is said to have greatly alarmed Riberio.
On 6 November 1987, Budhsinghwala killed Deputy Superintendent of Police Tara Chand. Chand was killed in the Jagraon area.
Killing SSP Avinder Singh Brar and SSP KRS Gill One of Budhsinghwala's most major actions was the killing of Senior Superintendent of Police Avinder Singh Brar and Senior Superintendent of Police KRS Gill on 14 December 1987.
SSP Brar and his junior, SSP KRS Gill, were both shot dead while jogging at Patiala's National Institute of Sports. Both of them had little security. The three killers later fled on a motorcycle.
Brar and Gill were top officers. There killing was described as the biggest killing since that of AS Atwal in Punjab. It was also described as a big killer of police morale. Brar had been held as the best police officer. Brar had cleaned the Babbar Khalsa out of Patiala. According to Chief of Punjab Police at the time J.F Ribeiro Brar would have become the chief of police had he not been killed.
In 1988 KLF under Avtar Singh Brahma attacked and destroyed CRPF bases in retaliation for CRPF actions at Brahampur.
Various attacks On 22 January 1988, BJP Punjab Vice-President Khushi Ram Sharma was shot dead with 4 bullets in Ludhiana by 2 Sikh on scooters. Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.
On the same day 6 KLF members armed with AK-47s shot dead 12 people in a park in Barnala. Five others were injured. One of them was a Shiv Sena worker. Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.
Budhsinghwala also led an attack on Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Professor Darshan Singh. Tohra was president of SGPC and Darshan was the SGPC appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht. During an April 1988 SGPC meeting at Ludhiana University KLF members under Budhsinghwala snuck their way in using fake ids. They attacked and fought Tohra and Darshan's security. 5 police officers and 8 members of Tohra and Darshan's party were killed. No KLF member was killed but Tohra and Darshan managed to escape unhurt. A motive for attacks on Tohra could be the belief of militants that Tohra was involved in Operation Blue Star.
On 19 June 1988, under Budhsinghwala's reign as Lieutenant-General of KLF a senior KLF leader with other members gunned down the head of the Punjab Shiv Sena, Ramkat Jalota. He was killed along with his gunmen and another. The Shiv Sena had allegedly used violence against Sikhs which made them targets of Sikh militants.
Head of Khalistan Liberation Force Following Avtar Singh's death in July 1988 Budhsinghwala commanded Khalistan Liberation Force. Budhsinghwala was responsible for multiple key assassinations of top cops, and politicians. They were killed in revenge for killings of other Khalistan Liberation Force members or in revenge for extrajudicial killings of other Sikhs.
Assassinations and attacks on security forces Under Budhsinghwala KLF launched frequent attacks on the bases of security forces. A reason was retaliation for crimes against Sikhs committed at Brahmpura by security forces notably by CRPF.
Attacks on security forces Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, Anar Singh Para, and other KLF members attacked with grenades a Home Guard headquarters in Lakhna Kalan.The Homeguard soldiers retreated in fear.ਖਾੜਕੂ ਯੋਧੇ in Punjabi by Maninder Singh Baja
Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members attacked a CRPF base in Gandivind Saraa and destroyed it.
Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members attacked another CRPF base in Gandivind Saraa and destroyed it.
Under Budhsinghwala KLF members under Major Singh Johal and Deputy Chief of KLF Jarnail Singh had an encounter with troops from the Indian Army in Karoonwale. Deputy Chief Jarnail Singh would be killed along with other KLF members. Major Singh Johal would survive with a few others.
Under Budhsinghwala in Shabazpur Major Singh Johal with other KLF members blew up a CRPF base.
In Bhagwanpur, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members attacked a CRPF base.
In Ladhoo, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members had a battle with the Indian Army leading to 5 KLF members dying.
In Bhoora Kahon, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal, and Gurdeep Singh Vakeel with other KLF members attacked 2 BSF vehicles killing 9 BSF jawans and injuring 7. The vehicles were also destroyed.
KLF members under Budhsinghwala led by Major Singh Johal, and Gurdeep Singh Vakeel blew up 2 CRPF vehicles near the Chandian river.
In Sarhali Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station killing 5 CRPF men and injuring a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
In Thatti, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members attacked a drain killing 4 BSF jawans.
In Lahuka, under Budhsinghwala, Major Singh Johal with other KLF members blew up a police van with bombs.
In Dubli Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a CRPF checkpoint. 1 police jeep and 1 police bus were destroyed and 19 officers were killed, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, with 1 injured.
In Kalia Sakthar Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station.
In Cheema Major Singh Johal and other KLF members attacked CRPF and commandos killing 5 and seriously injuring 6.
In Khemkaran Major Singh Johal with other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the place killing 5 BSF jawans.
Major Singh Johal and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the station in Kachha Pakka. Johal attacked with Gurdeep Singh Vakeel and other prominent KLF members. They used pistols, grenades, and RPGs. 2 police buses were burn and 11 CRPF men were killed.
Major Singh Johal, Gurdeep Singh Vakeel, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked the CRPF headquarters in Kubaak with RPGs and grenades. 1 jeep was destroyed and 3 CRPF men were killed.
Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, attacked a police station in Manochahal where Indian Army soldiers were stationed. 17 soldiers were killed.
Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members, under Budhsinghwala, killed 3 commandos at a checkpoint in Padhri Nake.
Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members attacked the BSF headquarters in Noorwala.
Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal and other KLF members were involved in a battle with National Security Guards near Dubeepur. KLF won the battle with 8 NSG being killed and 5 being injured.
In Amarko other KLF members attacked a CRPF patrol and killed 7 officers.
Under Budhsinghwala Major Singh Johal, and other KLF members killed 5 soldiers and injuring 5 more in Panjwar by attacking a convoy.
At Sri Hargobindpur Toofan Singh and 5 others attacked a police party on 1 November 1988. In the attack 1 Sergeant was wounded, and 1 Constable was also wounded.
In December 1988, near Sri Hargobindpur, Toofan Singh and others attack SHO (Station House Officer) Swaran Singh and officers with him. No one was hurt in the attack.