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{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Jathedar
| name = Avtar Singh Brahma
| birth_date = {{birth-date|1951}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1988|07|22|1951|||df=yes}}
| birth_place = Village Brahmpura, [[Tarn Taran district]], India
| death_place = [[Rajasthan]], India
| image = Photograph of Sikh militant, Avtar Singh Brahma.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| office1 = 1st Jathedar of Tat Khalsa
| predecessor1 = ''none'' (position founded)
| successor1 = ''none'' (merged with Khalistan Liberation Force)
| nickname = Brahma
| allegiance = [[Khalistan Liberation Force]]
| serviceyears = 1984 - 1988
| rank = [[Jathedar]]<br>[[General]]
| commands =
| unit =
| battles = [[Insurgency in Punjab]]
* [[Operation Mand]]
| laterwork =
| office2 = 2nd Jathedar of [[Khalistan Liberation Force]]
| predecessor2 = Bhai Aroor Singh
| successor2 = [[Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala]]
| honorific_suffix = Ji
}}

'''Avtar Singh Brahma''' (1951–22 July 1988), also known as "'''Jathedar''' '''Avtar Singh Ji Brahma'''" was one of the main founding figures and the second leader of the [[Kharku]] militant organization known as [[Khalistan Liberation Force]] founded in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-21 |title=Details of Militant Leader Avtar Singh Brahma |url=https://www.khalistanextremismmonitor.org/individual-profile/Avtar-Singh-Bramha |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Khalistan Extremism Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-23 |title=Sikh Kharkus leaders of the 20th Century |url=https://www.sikh24.com/2013/10/23/10-shaheeds-of-the-1980s/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Sikh24.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He became known as a [[Robin Hood]] figure.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Birinder Pal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=saGFAAAAMAAJ |title=Violence as Political Discourse |date=2002 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study |isbn=978-81-7986-006-9 |pages=205 |language=en}}</ref> Avtar Singh has been reputed for never attacking civilians.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Birinder Pal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=saGFAAAAMAAJ |title=Violence as Political Discourse |date=2002 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study |isbn=978-81-7986-006-9 |pages=205 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Not much is known about Avtar Singh's early life. What is known is that he was born in 1951 in Brahampur near [[Tarn Taran Sahib]]. His family was an agricultural one and were very poor. He left school at an early age to work at his family farm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Personal and criminal records of Avtar Singh Brahma {{!}} KEM |url=https://www.khalistanextremismmonitor.org/individual-profile/Avtar-Singh-Bramha |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Khalistan Extremism Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tNAxAQAAIAAJ |title=Link: Indian Newsmagazine |date=1987 |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref> Avtar Singh at a young age was sent by his parents to [[Bidhi Chand]] Dal. He was brought up in the [[Dera (organization)|dera]] at Sur Singh near [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]]. He soon took [[Khalsa|amrit]] and became a [[Khalsa]].<ref name=":32"/> There he also became a [[Nihang]] Singh who are generally the warriors of the Sikh community.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Pashaura |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YwNAwAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma&pg=PA379 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |last2=Fenech |first2=Louis E. |date=2014-03-27 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-100411-7 |pages=379 |language=en}}</ref>

== Tat Khalsa ==
{{Main articles|Battle of Manakpur|Operation Mand}}
Following Operation Blue Star an [[Insurgency in Punjab, India|Insurgency]] began in the [[Punjab]]. Avtar Singh created a small militant gang known as the “[[Tat Khalsa]]”.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chima |first=Jugdep S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxpBDwAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma+tat+khalsa&pg=PT153 |title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements |date=2010-03-11 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5150-953-0 |language=en}}</ref>

Avtar Singh would take revenge in his home village for the beating of women and children.<ref name=":1" />

In 1985 Avtar Singh attacked SHO (Station House Officer) Harinder Singh who managed to survive, but was injured.<ref name=":32"/>

One of Avtar Singh's first exploits was attacking [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]], [[Border Security Force|BSF]], and [[Indian Army|Indian army]] convoys. Brahma would lead regular attacks on security personnel convoys.<ref name=":24">ਖਾੜਕੂ ਯੋਧੇ in Punjabi by Maninder Singh Baja</ref>

In Baler Avtar Singh Brahma and fellow militants surrounded a CRPF jeep. CRPF men tried to flee and fight, but were killed. In retaliation for this security personnel shot and killed 2 Sikhs who they claimed were militants. Avtar Singh Brahma refuted these claims saying they were innocent Sikhs of the village.<ref name=":24"/><ref name=":32"/>

Soon after Avtar Singh Brahma and fellow militants were attacked by a force of 20,000 CRPF members in [[Manakpur]]. A fierce battle ensued. The militants fought throughout the day and managed to hold off the CRPF. Avtar Singh and fellow militants broke through the CRPF's lines and escaped at night. Many of the militants had died.<ref name=":24"/> Over 3 CRPF vehicles were blown up and Avtar Singh lost part of his finger.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaheed Bhai Balwinder Singh DC – 1984 Tribute |url=https://www.1984tribute.com/shaheed-bhai-balwinder-singh-dc/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=www.1984tribute.com}}</ref>

In 1986 Avtar Singh killed the [[Assistant sub-inspector of police|Thanderar]] (Assistant Sub-Inspector) of [[Chohla Sahib|Chola Sahib]], Shiv Singh. Shiv Singh was unpopular as he used excessive force and had no respect for the locals. The locals were supporters of Avtar Singh Brahma instead. Avtar Singh had created a major plot to kill Shiv Singh. He had fellow militants tell Shiv Singh his location and led Shiv Singh to believe that he was weak and could be easily captured. Shiv Singh fell for the act and went with fellow officers to arrest Avtar Singh. Avtar Singh knew of their movements and attacked them. Shiv Singh and two other officers were killed and 4 others were injured.<ref name=":32"/><ref name=":24"/>

Avtar Singh next attacked a CRPF patrol party at [[Bhikhiwind]] killing 1 Sub-Inspector and two [[Private (rank)|jawans]].<ref name=":32" />

Avtar Singh's legendary status continued to grow. He centred his operation in the Mand region (The Mand region is the riverbank land along the [[Beas River|Beas]])<ref name="indiatoday.in" /> and was the [[de facto]] ruler.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Kirpal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_PU6CwAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma&pg=PT248 |title=Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978-1993 |date=2006-12-22 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-93-85890-38-3 |language=en}}</ref> Avtar Singh was known as the "King of Mand". In July 1986 Operation Mand was launched to capture Avtar Singh and his fellow militants. The Operation was led by [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill|KPS Gill]] and was approved by DGP [[Julio Ribeiro (police officer)|Julio Riberio]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ribeiro |first=Julio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MxXlAAAAMAAJ |title=Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer |date=1998 |publisher=Viking |isbn=978-0-670-87871-0 |pages=283 |language=en}}</ref> About 30 [[Company (military unit)|companies]] of security forces along with multiple helicopters, bulldozers, and mechanised boats were deployed and used for the Operation which was conducted in a over 240 square kilometre area.<ref name="indiatoday.in" /> <ref>{{Cite book |last1=Vas |first1=Lt Gen EA |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=38k1EAAAQBAJ&dq=1987+avtar+singh+brahma&pg=PA125 |title=Indian Defence Review July-Dec 1987 (Vol 2.2) |last2=Kathpalia |first2=Lt Gen PN |last3=Bakshi |first3=G. D. |last4=Kanwal |first4=Gurmeet |last5=Rockall |first5=George |last6=Kaushik |first6=Brig OP |last7=Saksena |first7=Col KP |last8=Tiwathia |first8=Maj Vijay |last9=Joshi |first9=Dr Manoj |date=1987-07-01 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-81-7062-029-7 |language=en}}</ref> The Operation did not go as expected for the Indian forces. 1000s of Police and Paramilitary forces surrounded the Mand region. According to Avtar Singh, he and fellow Tat Khalsa members clashed with and repulsed an attacking force of officers and paramilitary, with the attacking force suffering high casualties. Avtar Singh also shot down a Paramilitary helicopter. The other helicopters fell back after this.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1hDAAAAYAAJ |title=India Today |date=1986 |publisher=Living Media India Pvt. Limited |pages=35 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oC0KAQAAIAAJ |title=India Today Volume 11, Issues 13-24 |date=1986 |publisher=Living Media India Pvt. Limited |pages=23 |language=en}}</ref> After Avtar Singh and fellow Tat Khalsa members managed to escape.<ref name="indiatoday.in">{{Cite web |title=Sikh terrorists gun down bus-load of passengers in Punjab, Delhi mobs react against Sikhs |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19860815-sikh-terrorists-gun-down-bus-load-of-passengers-in-punjab-delhi-mobs-react-against-sikhs-801146-1986-08-14 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The operation faced heavy criticism for being "overkill". The operation lasted for 40 hours. It was initially described as the destruction of the Khalistan capital, but police had only captured a few weapons. Revenue Minister Major Singh Uboke called Operation Mand "Operation Fraud". He said at a cabinet meeting, that innocent Sikh youth and women were being harassed and tortured by the security forces.<ref name="indiatoday.in"/> Major Singh Uboke later said, “I think I made a mistake by calling it just Operation Fraud. I should actually have called it operation pak-hand (charade). They took hundreds of troops, helicopters, guns and boats. But what happened? They did not even succeed in wetting an extremist's beard. A lot of the Mand area falls under my constituency, and if I do not know what a fraud the whole thing was, and do not speak out, who would?”<ref>{{Cite web |title=I have nothing to do with extremists: Major Singh Uboke |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/investigation/story/19860930-i-have-nothing-to-do-with-extremists-major-singh-uboke-801287-1986-09-29 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Khalistan Liberation Force ==
In late 1986 Aroor Singh formed the [[Khalistan Liberation Force]] which was a merger of the Tat Khalsa, Mai Bhago Regiment, Khalistan Armed Police, Dasmesh Regiment, Khalistan Security Force and others.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Marwah |first=Ved |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4UiAQAAMAAJ |title=Uncivil Wars: Pathology of Terrorism in India |date=1997 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-81-7223-251-1 |pages=211 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RA1uAAAAMAAJ |title=Asien |date=1988 |publisher=Deutsche Gesellschaft für Asienkunde |pages=45 |language=de}}</ref> In early 1987 Aroor Singh was arrested and brutally tortured by police.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma+aroor+singh&pg=PA144 |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=144 |language=en}}</ref> He would later be killed. Following his death Avtar Singh took over the Khalistan Liberation Force.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Kirpal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_PU6CwAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma+khalistan+liberation+force&pg=PT248 |title=Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978-1993 |date=2006-12-22 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-93-85890-38-3 |language=en}}</ref> Avtar Singh made [[Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala|Gurjant Singh]] and Pipal Singh his 2 [[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant-Generals]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marwah |first=Ved |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4UiAQAAMAAJ |title=Uncivil Wars: Pathology of Terrorism in India |date=1997 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-81-7223-251-1 |pages=211 |language=en}}</ref>

On January 15, 1987, Avtar Singh’s planned assassination of [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]] Sant Singh Bhullar was conducted. Bhullar attacked a [[Gurdwara]] in [[Sri Muktsar Sahib]] as part of [[Operation Blue Star]]. 10 KLF members with sub machine guns and pistols had broken into Bhullar’s home and killed him in a burst fire. His sister-in-law was also killed. Three others were injured. They left behind a note from Avtar Singh Brahma claiming responsibility. The note blamed Bhullar for, “..the desecration of the Sikh historic temple at Mukstar”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh extremists assassinated an army officer who took part... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/15/Sikh-extremists-assassinated-an-army-officer-who-took-part/2318537685200/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 January, 1987, Avtar Singh Brahma and fellow militants challenged the CRPF to try to capture them for 20 minutes at [[Brahampur, Phagwara|Brahampura]]. The CRPF did not attempt to capture him and waited for reinforcements. Once reinforcements arrived around an hour later they smashed their way into homes and searched them in the village trying to find Avtar Singh. They were accused of committing atrocities in the search and faced heavy criticism from many leaders. Some were burning of [[Guru Granth Sahib]], shooting at Guru Granth Sahib, beating the elderly [[Sarpanch]], rape and molestation of girls. Avtar Singh Brahma vowed to get revenge and with Major Singh Johal would attack multiple CRPF headquarters, bases, convoys, and stations.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYsMAQAAMAAJ |title=India Today |date=1988 |publisher=Living Media India Pvt. Limited |pages=26 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Punjab's volatile political scenario turns worse with series of bloody developments |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19870131-punjab-volatile-political-scenario-turns-worse-with-series-of-bloody-developments-798463-1987-01-30 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lo8AAAAMAAJ |title=IDSA News Review on South Asia/Indian Ocean |date=1987 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |pages=252 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tNAxAQAAIAAJ |title=Link: Indian Newsmagazine |date=1987 |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-27 |title=The Forum Gazette Vol. 2 No. 2 January 20-February 5, 1987 by Sikh Digital Library - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/sikhdigitallibrary/docs/the_forum_gazette_vol._2_no._2_janu |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}</ref>

Punjab D.G.P. (Director General of Police) [[Julio Ribeiro (police officer)|Julio F. Riberio]] would admit to an “excesses” by the CRPF.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lo8AAAAMAAJ |title=IDSA News Review on South Asia/Indian Ocean |date=1987 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |pages=252 |language=en}}</ref>

Under Avtar Singh senior KLF members launched an attack in September 1987. The target was S.H.O. (Station house officer) [[Sub-inspector|Sub-Inspector]] Mith Singh. Mith Singh had been hand-picked by then chief of Punjab Police [[Julio Ribeiro (police officer)|Julio F. Riberio]]. He was picked to deal with Avtar Singh’s Lieutenant-General Gurjant Singh 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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ&dq=sho+mith+singh&pg=PA225 |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=225 |language=en}}</ref> Budhsinghwala began plotting to kill Mith Singh in revenge for his actions with Husan Singh. 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 5 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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Police: Three Dead, Five Injured In Sikh Terrorist Attack |url=https://apnews.com/article/c817733f5156c7c0695da3dcfd69d7fa |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Baja |first=Maninder Singh |title=ਅਮਰ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਜੰਟ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੁੱਧਸਿੰਘਵਾਲਾ |publisher=[[Damdami Taksal]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-93-85397-02-8 |edition=1st |pages=74 |language=Punjabi}}</ref>

On November 1, 1987, Avtar Singh Brahma claimed responsibility for the killing of 2 [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] [[Private (rank)|jawans]] in an ambush the day before near [[Kabirpur, Kapurthala, Punjab|Kabirpur]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WVw8AAAAMAAJ |title=IDSA News Review on South Asia/Indian Ocean |date=1987 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |pages=1761 |language=en}}</ref>

On November 6, 1987, Budhsinghwala, Avtar Singh’s Lt. General, killed D.S.P (Deputy Superintendent of Policr) Tara Chand.<ref name=":05">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ&dq=ssp+as+brar&pg=PA226 |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=226 |language=en}}</ref> Chand was killed in the [[Jagraon|Jagraon area]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Commissioner of Police shares festivities with martyr DSP's family |url=http://www.uniindia.net/news/north/festival-jalandhar-martyr-bhullar/2235183.html |access-date=2023-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606194230/http://www.uniindia.net/news/north/festival-jalandhar-martyr-bhullar/2235183.html |archive-date=2023-06-06 }}</ref>

One of the major actions under Brahma was the killing of S.S.P (Senior Superintend of Police) [[Avinder Singh Brar]] and S.P. (Superintend of Police) K.R.S. Gill on 14 December, 1987<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ&dq=ssp+as+brar&pg=PA226 |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=226 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaruhar |first=Manjari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dY96EAAAQBAJ&dq=ssp+as+brar+killed&pg=PT187 |title=Madam Sir: The Story of Bihar's First Lady IPS Officer |date=2022-07-25 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5492-677-8 |language=en}}</ref>

S.S.P Brar and his junior, S.P K.R.S Gill, were both killed while jogging at Patiala's National Institute of Sports. Both of them had little security. Two men in tracksuits approached them at 7 a.m. They signaled to a third person who pulled out an [[AK-47]]. Brar was killed instantly by a bullet hitting his temple. Gill attempted to flee to a police jeep, but was injured with bullets in his head and back. He would die while fleeing. The three killers fled on a motorcycle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terrorists kill senior Punjab IPS officers Avinder Singh Brar and K.R.S. Gill |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880115-terrorists-kill-senior-punjab-ips-officers-avinder-singh-brar-and-krs-gill-796879-1988-01-14 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

S.S.P A.S Brar’s killing was a major victory for Brahma and Budhsinghwala. Brar had been held as the best police officer. Brar had cleaned the [[Babbar Khalsa]] out of [[Patiala]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terrorists kill senior Punjab IPS officers Avinder Singh Brar and K.R.S. Gill |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880115-terrorists-kill-senior-punjab-ips-officers-avinder-singh-brar-and-krs-gill-796879-1988-01-14 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> According to Chief of Punjab Police at the time [[Julio Ribeiro (police officer)|J.F Ribeiro]] Brar would have become the chief of police had he not been killed.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Man who would have led Punjab Police one day |url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/column/man-who-would-have-led-punjab-police-one-day-849607}}</ref>

On January 22, 1988 [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] Punjab Vice-Presidnet Khushi Ram Sharma was shot dead with 4 bullets in [[Ludhiana]] by 2 Sikh on scooters. Avtar’s Lieutenant General Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.<ref name=":04">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2oFlAAAAIBAJ&dq=budhsinghwala&pg=PA1&article_id=257,1291204 |title=The Indian Express |publisher=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

On the same day 6 KLF members armed with [[AK-47|AK-47s]] shot dead 12 people in a park in [[Barnala]]. 5 others were injured. One of them was a [[Shiv Sena]] worker. Avtar’s Lieutenant General Budhsinghwala claimed responsibility in a letter on behalf of KLF.<ref name=":04" />

In 1988 Avtar Singh Brahma and fellow militants attacked and destroyed CRPF bases in retaliation for CRPF actions at Brahampur.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYsMAQAAMAAJ |title=India Today |date=1988 |publisher=Living Media India Pvt. Limited |pages=26 |language=en}}</ref>

In April 1988 KLF led an attack on [[Gurcharan Singh Tohra]] and Professor Darshan Singh. Tohra was president of [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee|SGPC]] and Darshan was the SGPC appointed Jathedar of [[Akal Takht]].<ref name="Tribune_scorch">{{cite news |last1=Sandhu |first1=Kanwar |date=1 June 2014 |title=Punjab was scorched 30 summers ago, the burn still hurts |work=Complications |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140601/pers.htm#3 |access-date=14 June 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sikh Separatist Insurgency">{{cite book |last1=Chima |first1=Jusdep Singh |title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India |date=2010 |publisher=SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd |isbn=9788132103028 |location=New Delhi |page=141}}</ref> The attack was led by Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, one of Avtar Singh’s lieutenant-generals.<ref name=":0" /> At a 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rediff On The NeT: Pakistan sabotaged Khalistan movement: Manjinder Issi |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/1999/mar/12punjab.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=m.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kjpWAAAAYAAJ |title=Link |date=1990 |publisher=United India Periodicals. |pages=16 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0UnAAAAMAAJ |title=Asian Bulletin |date=1990 |publisher=APACL Publications |pages=52 |language=en}}</ref> A motive for attacks on Tohra could be the belief of militants that Tohra was involved in [[Operation Blue Star]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh leader wounded, two killed in militant ambush |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/14/Sikh-leader-wounded-two-killed-in-militant-ambush/4418642657600/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

On 19 June of 1988 under Avtar Singh, reign as head 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=Fourteen Killed In Bomb Attack In Kurukshetra |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/fourteen-killed-in-bomb-attack-in-kurukshetra/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=Refworld {{!}} India: Information for 1988 and since 1992 on the Shiv Sena in Punjab, especially on its current status, its activities, whether its members are harassed and arrested by Sikh police officers; and on whether its members are involved in incidences of violence against Sikhs |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad844.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Refworld |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hZcdAQAAMAAJ |title=The Illustrated Weekly of India |date=1989 |publisher=Times of India |pages=31 |language=en}}</ref>The Shiv Sena had used violence against Sikhs which made them targets of Sikh militants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=Refworld {{!}} India: Information pertaining to a Hindu organization Shiv Sena operating in the Punjab (was it banned? when? why? treatment of its members by militant Sikhs and government authorities) |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abb44.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Refworld |language=en}}</ref>

Avtar Singh has been reputed for never attacking civilians.<ref name=":1" />

== Death and aftermath ==
Avtar Singh Brahma was killed on July 22, 1988. He was killed in an encounter near the [[Pakistan]] border. One source has described his death as happening in, "mysterious circumstances..."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pettigrew |first=Joyce |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7VBuAAAAMAAJ |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab: Unheard Voices of State and Guerilla Violence |date=1995-04-27 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0 |pages=83 |language=en}}</ref> Another says that before Avtar Singh's death he, "scamper[ed] through the verdant fields of Punjab's border district on horseback."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crenshaw |first=Martha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC&dq=avtar+singh+brahma&pg=PA397 |title=Terrorism in Context |date=2010-11-01 |publisher=Penn State Press |isbn=978-0-271-04442-2 |pages=397 |language=en}}</ref> His death caused outrage among rural Sikh as he was quite popular amongst them.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaur |first=Mallika |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DC_KDwAAQBAJ&dq=avtar+singh+brahma&pg=PA222 |title=Faith, Gender, and Activism in the Punjab Conflict: The Wheat Fields Still Whisper |date=2020-01-14 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-24674-7 |pages=222 |language=en}}</ref> Avtar Singh had become known as a Robin Hood figure. He is said to have commanded respect until the end.<ref name=":1" /> Avtar Singh was succeeded by [[Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala]]<ref name="independent.co.uk2">{{cite news |date=1992-08-29 |title=Death report exaggerated |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/death-report-exaggerated-1543102.html |access-date=2010-05-07}}</ref> one of Avtar Singh's lieutenant generals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harjinder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJdcCAAAQBAJ&dq=sho+mith+singh&pg=PA225 |title=Game of Love |date=2008 |publisher=Akaal Publishers |isbn=978-0-9554587-1-2 |pages=225 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Khalistan movement people]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1988 deaths]]

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Avtar Singh Brahma - Revision history

Kvvillswece at 16:15, 2 September 2023