Babbar Khalsa International logo

Babbar Khalsa International logo variation

The Babbar Khalsa (Punjabi: ਬੱਬਰ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, babbar ḵẖālsā) is a group considered to be among the oldest and most prominent of Sikh organisations calling for the formation of an independent Sikh state. The envisioned state, called Khalistan (meaning Land of the Pure) by its proponents, would comprise Indian territory in the Punjab, and Punjabi-speaking areas of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. Like other organisations, Babbar Khalsa was most active in the late 1970s and 1980s; the end of militancy in 1993 led to a dramatic fall in violence, although infrequent acts of terrorism are still attributed to it. It was, and continues to be, sponsored largely by expatriate Sikhs, particularly in the United Kingdom and Canada. Babbar Khalsa is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United Kingdom,^[1] the EU,^[2] Canada,^[3] India, and the United States. The United States has designated the Babbar Khalsa responsible for the bombing of Air India Flight 182;^[4] although the alleged members deemed responsible were all acquitted in a Canadian trial in 2005 for the lack of evidence in court. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1272x1331, 105 KB) Babbar Khalsa International logo File links The following pages link to this file: Babbar Khalsa ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1272x1331, 105 KB) Babbar Khalsa International logo File links The following pages link to this file: Babbar Khalsa ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1102x1116, 100 KB) Babbar Khalsa International logo variation File links The following pages link to this file: Babbar Khalsa ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1102x1116, 100 KB) Babbar Khalsa International logo variation File links The following pages link to this file: Babbar Khalsa ... “Punjabi” redirects here. ... Religions Sikhism Scriptures Guru Granth Sahib Languages English, Punjabi] A Sikh (English: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ) is an adherent to Sikhism. ... A proposed flag for Khalistan Khālistān (East Punjabi: , West Punjabi: ), meaning The Land of the Pure, was the name given to a proposed nation-state by Jagjit Singh Chauhan, official title Sikh republic of Khalistan, a modern state based on secular, democratic and egalitarian principles. ... , This article is about the Indian state of Punjab. ... “Punjabi” redirects here. ... , Haryana   (HindÄ«: हरियाणा, PunjabÄ«: ਹਰਿਆਣਾ, IPA: ) is a state in north India. ... , Himachal Pradesh   (Panjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪਰਦੇਸ਼,(Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश, IPA: ) is a state in the north-west of India. ... , Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Terrorist redirects here. ... Air-India Flight 182 was a Boeing 747 that exploded on June 23, 1985 while at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9500 m) above the Atlantic Ocean, south of Ireland; all 329 on board were killed, of whom 136 were children and 280 were Canadian citizens. ...

Origins of the Babbar Khalsa

The Babbar Khalsa name traces its origin to the Babbar Akali Movement of 1920, which agitated against British colonial rule in India. The conception of Babbar Khalsa in its modern day form is widely believed to have been brought about as a result of the Nirankari-Akhand Kirtani Jatha clash on Vaisakhi in 1978, where thirteen Sikhs where killed in a police-backed Nirankari assault against Sikhs in Amritsar, where three Nirankaris were also left dead.^[5]. The founders of the organisation were Sukhdev Singh Babbar, Mehal Singh Babbar and Amarjit Kaur (wife of Fauja Singh, the leader of the procession of Sikhs killed in the unexpected assault by Nirankaris). The initial aim of this panthic organisation was to avenge the death of Sikhs and to eliminate enemies of the Sikh nation. On 24 April 1980, Gurbachan Singh, the "Baba" (head) of the Nirankaris, was killed; responsibility for this killing was claimed by Babbar Khalsa. 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Sant Nirankari Mission was started in 1929 by Baba Buta Singh Ji in the province of Punjab (British India). ... The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a group (jatha) that is dedicated to the ideal Sikh lifestyle. ... The Khanda Vaisakhi (Punjabi: , , also known as Baisakhi) marks the Punjabi and Nepali New Year and the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab, India and Nepal. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... The Sant Nirankari Mission was started in 1929 by Baba Buta Singh Ji in the province of Punjab (British India). ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Talwinder Singh Parmar was put in charge of the international wing of the Babbar Khalsa in 1981, with Sukhdev Singh Babbar remaining the overall chief or "Jathedar". Wadhawa Singh Babbar and Mehal Singh Babbar were assigned as vice-Jathedars. Talwinder Singh Parmar Talwinder Singh Parmar was born in the Punjab, India on February 26, 1944. ...

Decline

The crackdown on Sikh Organisations (formed to avenge the Nirankai-Akhand Kirtani Jatha Clash, Operation Bluestar, and the 1984_Anti-Sikh_riots) by the Indian Government in the early 1990s, followed by the criminal and government infiltration of the Khalistan movement and the various "militant" organisations respectively, greatly weakened Babbar Khalsa, ultimately leading to the death of Sukhdev Singh Babbar (9 August 1992) and Talwinder Singh Parmar (15 October 1992). Parmar's death remains controversial, and today he is accepted to have been shot in a gun battle with Indian police, with Canada's CBC network reporting that Parmar had been in police custody for some time prior to his death. The Operation Blue Star (also known as the Golden Temple Massacre) (June 4 to June 6, 1984) was the Indian military raid of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, the holiest temple of the Sikh religion. ... 1984 Anti-Sikh riots took place in India after the assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a Canadian crown corporation, is the country’s national public radio and television broadcaster. ...

According to Punjab Police,^{[citation needed]} the last words uttered by Sukhdev Singh Babbar were: "The Sukhdev Singh you have come to get has left, this body is an empty vessel, you may do with this as you wish." The death of Sukhdev Singh, described by India Today as “the most prominent leader since 1978” who had “an aura of invincibility”, severely weakened Babbar Khalsa. 30th Anniversary issue of India Today India Today is an Indian weekly newsmagazine, in publication since 1975. ...

Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar is universally recognised as being of paramount influence in propagating and maintaining the aim of Khalistan and was widely considered one of the backbones of the movement. Contrary to belief in certain quarters, Sukhdev Singh and the late Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale enjoyed a close and personal friendship and fought alongside each other during the Indian Army's assault on the Golden Temple complex. s

Sant Bhindranwale Ji was quoted on numerous occasions as referring to Sukhdev Singh as "Sacha Sukha" (Truthful Sukhdev). Sant Bhindranwale had said this because at the time, rumours were circulating of a rift between Sant Bhindranwale's followers and Babbar Khalsa. In order to prevent disinformation from becoming truth, Sant Bhindranwale made many comments honoring the Babbars, complimenting their affection and love for Sikhi.

Recent events - possible revival?

Despite the setbacks incurred in the early Nineties, Babbar Khalsa is still active, although not to the extent it once was. The organisation at present is predominantly active in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland and Pakistan. Current leadership resides with Wadhawa Singh Babbar, with Mehal Singh Babbar as deputy Jathedar. Presumed headquarters are located in Lahore.

On 31 August 1995, Dilawar Singh Babbar assassinated Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in a suicide bomb attack at the civil secretariat in Chandigarh.^[6] Dilawar claimed allegiance to the Babbar Khalsa and four other members of the Babbar Khalsa were named responsible for the killing. is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... On August 31, 1995, an alleged member, Dilawar Singh, assassinated Punjab, India Chief Minister Beant Singh at the civil secretariat in Chandigarh during a suicide bombing. ... Beant Singh (Left) & Satwant Singh (Right) Beant Singh was one of the bodyguards to the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. ... A suicide bombing is a bomb attack on people or property, committed by a person who knows the explosion will cause his or her own death in addition to the attacks primary purpose (see suicide, suicide weapons). ... , Chandigarh   (Punjabi: , Hindi: , pronunciation: ) also called The City Beautiful , is a city in India that serves as the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. ...

On 31 May 2005 two alleged members of the Babbar Khalsa, Balvinder Singh Babbar and Jaganath Yadav were arrested and charged with the bombings of cinemas showing Jo Bole So Nihal in New Delhi on 22 May 2005. On 1 June 2005 the Delhi Police seized arms and ammunition from the house of Jaspal Singh Babbar. The seized items included 1 kg of RDX, a timer, detonator, a .303 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunitions, the uniform of a head constable of the Punjab Police along with several fake driving licences.^[7] The indian government has always maintained false refernces to the sikhs, they set up the Air India plane crash to bad name the Sikh religion. Also the cinema attacks have never been shown to be done by the Babbar Khalsa, the Indian Govt had planned this because the Beant Singh trial was going on and they wanted to bad mouth the Sikhs.Babbar Khalsa is just fighting for human rights of Sikhs. They kill who is killing Sikhs, like Beant. [Not good to to add pro Khalistan views that Governmenet is involved. Looks like section is edited by pro Khalistan separatists viewpoint] is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jo Bole So Nihaal (also transliterated Jo Bole So Nihal; meaning Blessed is the One) is a 2005 Indian film starring Sunny Deol and Kamaal Khan. ... , This article is about the urban region that is the capital of India. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The kilogram or kilogramme (symbol: kg) is the SI base unit of mass. ... [edit] Headline text ANEWNGONEWGEQWMedia:Example. ...

One week later the Delhi police arrested Babbar Khalsa's India operations chief Jagtar Singh Hawara Babbar. Hawara had escaped from jail in Chandigarh last year through a long tunnel dug by inmates. He is one those accused of having involvement in Beant Singh's assassination. Among the items recoverd in the arrest were 10.35 kg of RDX, four pistols, 207 live cartridges, remote control devices, and a hand grenade.^[8] Hawara Zindabad! Hawara was treated very badly in Delhi. They stuffed tobacco in his mouth and alcohol, which is against Sikh conduct. They did not let him cover his hair. There was not a single part on his body which had not been tourchered. Delhi police even gave him electric shocks. The kilogram or kilogramme (symbol: kg) is the SI base unit of mass. ... [edit] Headline text ANEWNGONEWGEQWMedia:Example. ...

As of 21 March 2006, three Babbar Khalsa members had been arrested. Among the ones arrested was Paramjit Singh Bheora Babbar; the current head of Babbar Khalsa International (India branch). Bheora assumed the position of the Babbar Khalsa International (India branch) after Jagtar Singh Hawara Babbar's arrest. Bheora was arrested with his 2 acccomplices Jasbir Singh Babbar and Bhupinder Singh Babbar. March 21 is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

According to Delhi Police along with the arrest of 3 Babbar Khalsa members they arrested they have also seized "4 kilograms of RDX, 3 detonators, 1 remote control device with a wireless set, 1 timer, 3 Star make pistols, 39 cartridges and a stolen car. Bheora was involved with Jagtar Singh Hawara and Jagtar Singh Tara Babbar in digging a 100 foot tunnel to escape from the Burail jail. ^[9]

Ripudaman Singh Malik, once accused but now acquitted of the Air India bombing, admitted that he had donated money to the Babbar Khalsa. Malik said that he had donated 100 Canadian dollars to the Babbar Khalsa in 1985, before they were registered as a terrorist organization in Canada. ^[10] Air India Flight 182 was a Boeing 747 that exploded on June 23, 1985 while at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9500 m) above the Atlantic Ocean, south of Ireland; all 329 on board were killed, of whom eighty two were children and 280 were Canadian citizens. ...

Paramjit Singh Bheora told the Punjab police that after he escaped from prison he had recruited 24 people into the Babbar Khalsa. Bheora wanted to send 6 of them to Pakistan for training and to purchase some weapons. ^[11]

The Punjab Police arrested 4 more people associated with Babbar Khalsa International (India branch) chief Paramjit Singh Bheora. ^[12]

Punjab Police apprended Amanpreet Kaur, wife of Paramjit Singh Bheora along with 4 other suspected terrorists. The police recovered some weapons from them. ^[13]

Police arrested an aide to Jagtar Singh Hawara, known as Gurinder Singh Babbar in a town of Jagraon. Gurinder Singh charged by the Indian Police for planning to assassinate a retired army general who played a vital part in Operation Bluestar and for providing shelter to Hawara when he escaped from Burail prison.^[14] The Operation Blue Star (also known as the Golden Temple Massacre) (June 4 to June 6, 1984) was the Indian military raid of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, the holiest temple of the Sikh religion. ...

The Indian Police arrested Harpal Singh Cheema in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Airport. According to the Indian Police, Cheema has links to some Sikh extremist groups such as Babbar Khalsa International.^[15] , This article is about the urban region that is the capital of India. ...

The Canadian government decided to deport a Babbar Khalsa militant, Bachan Singh Sogi Babbar, on charges of planning to assassinate former Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal along with his son Sukhbir Singh Badal, and former Punjab Police Chief KPS Gill. ^[16] KPG Gill // Background KPS Gill began his career as a police officer in the north-eastern state of Assam, quickly earning a reputation as a tough officer. ...

Indian Police will continue to hold the Babbar Khalsa militant Bachan Singh Sogi in their custody till July 13, 2006. Bachan Singh Sogi Babbar, who is considered number three in Babbar Khalsa International, after Wadhwa Singh Babbar and Mehal Singh Babbar. ^[17]

References

1. ^ Home Office - Proscribed terrorist groups in the UK
2. ^ EU list of terrorist groups
3. ^ Canadian listing of terrorist groups
4. ^ US designation of Babbar Khalsa responsibility for Flight 182
5. ^ Punjab: The Knights of Falsehood — Psalms of Terror, All About Sikhs — Amritsar Massacre 1978
6. ^ The Telegraph, Calcutta, India, "Beant trial trio in tunnel getaway" 22 January 2004
7. ^ The Tribune, India, "2 Babbars held for Delhi cinema blasts" 31 May 2005
8. ^ The Tribune, India, "Delhi blasts: Babbar Khalsa chief Hawara held" 8 June 2005
9. ^ The Tribune, India, "Bheora, 2 other Babbars arrested" 21 March 2006
10. ^ The Tribune, India, "Malik admits donating money to BKI" 30 March 2006
11. ^ Express Newsline, India, "Bheora recruited 24 men after escaping" 01 April 2006
12. ^ Outlook India, India, "Four associates of BKI militant Bheora arrested" 04 April 2006
13. ^ India Monitor, UK, "Police nab five terrorists in Kapurthala" 04 April 2006
14. ^ Express India, India, "Jagraon Police nets ‘big fish’: Hawara aide nabbed from bus stand" 28 April 2006
15. ^ India Monitor, UK, "Terrorist nabbed at IGI Airport" 03 May 2006
16. ^ Zee News, India, "Canada deports Babbar Khalsa militant" 03 July 2006
17. ^ Zee News, India, "Police remand of Sogi extended till July 13" 10 July 2006