Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala (29 June 1966 – 29 July 1992) was the third chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force.
He has been accused of planning and carrying out attacks that killed over 1,000 people.
Early life and family
Gurjant Singh was born in the village of Budhsinghwala, Faridkot district (Modern day Moga district) on the 29 June 1966. He had four siblings — one sister and three brothers. He was learned, although after being tortured by the police multiple times and his family members tortured as well, as he was a religious Amritdhari Sikh, he joined the KLF in 1986.
Another factor that contributed to his joining of KLF was the killing of 8 Sikhs on April 6, 1984, at Bibi Kahan Kaur Gurdwara in Moga by CRPF, BSF, and Punjab police. Among the dead was Budhsinghwala's grand uncle.
Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Moga was attacked as part of Operation Blue Star in June 1984. He was in the Gurdwara during the Operation and would be arrested. He was kept in jail for 2 years and was released after his case came to court.
Early militancy
Budhsinghwala's first action was the killing Sarpanch Dhana Singh. Dahana had aided the police in the arrest of many Sikhs and was a police informant. Budhsinghwala along with his cousin Jaga Singh and older brother Kulwant Singh killed Dahana. 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 leaving home Budhsinghwala joined the kharku group Malwa Kesri Commando Force. It was a small regional group. Under this group, Budhsinghwala was accused by police of attacking the home of a police informant and for the 1986 Muktsar bus massacre. 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 high ranking officers
SHO Mith Sinch
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. Mith Singh had dragged Budhsinghwala's father by his hair in a public humiliation. 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 Punjab Chief of Police Riberio. Mith Singh was one of his best and most loyal officers.
Killing DSP Tara Chand
On November 6, 1987, Budhsinghwala killed Deputy Superintendent of Police Tara Chand. Chand was killed in the Jagraon area.