Bikram Rout: made first biography first draft - done

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made first biography first draft - done

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{{Short description|Sikh militant in India (1965–1990)}}
{{notability|1=Biographies|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Sukhwinder Singh Sangha
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1965|02|02}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1990|11|03|1965|02|02|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Tarn Taran district|Sangha]], [[Punjab, India]]
| death_place = Bhullar, [[Tarn Taran, India|Tarn Taran]], [[Punjab, India]]
| image = Photograph of Sikh militant Sukhwinder Singh Sangha.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| title =
| office1 = 1st Jathedar of [[Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan]] (S)
| predecessor1 = ''None''
| successor1 = Racchpal Singh Chandra
| nickname = Sangha
| allegiance = [[Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan]], Panthic Committee
| service_years = 1982–1990
| rank = {{unbulleted list|[[General]]|[[Jathedar]]}}
| unit =
| laterwork =
| known_for =
| parents =
| alma_mater = [[Sri Guru Arjan Dev College]]
}}
'''Sukhwinder Singh Sangha''' (3 February 1965 - 3 November 1990) was a [[Sikh]] militant ([[kharku]]), the head of a faction of [[Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan]] during the [[insurgency in Punjab, India]].

Sangha was a popular Kharku, known for his help of civilians.<ref name=":0">{{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=92 |language=en}}</ref> He was awarded the title of the "20th-century [[Hari Singh Nalwa]]" by [[Damdami Taksal]] and other Sikh organizations ([[jatha]]s).<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=13 November 1990 |title=ਸੁਖਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਘਾ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਸਮਾਗਮ ਵਿਖੇ ਐਲਾਨ |trans-title=Announcement in Sukhwinder Singh Sangha’s martyrdom program |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]] (Jalandhar) |pages=7}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was born on 3 February 1965, to Gulzar Singh and Mahinder Kaur in the village Sangha near [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]]. He was the eldest of 5 siblings. Sangha was born in a farming family and became a farmer at a young age.<ref name=":1">{{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=59 |language=en}}</ref> Sangha took [[Khalsa|Amrit]] at a young age. Sangha received a [[Bachelor of Fine Arts]] at Sri Guru Arjan Dev College.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=3 November 1990 |title=ਤਰਨ ਤਾਰਨ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਮੁਕਾਬਲੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਬੀ.ਟੀ.ਐਫ ਚੀਫ ਸਮੇਤ 4 ਖਾੜਕੂ ਹਲਾਕ |trans-title=In an encounter near Tarn Taran 4 Kharkus dead with BTF chief |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]] (Jalandhar) |pages=1, 7}}</ref>

Sangha began listening to [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale|Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's]] speeches and sermons and soon after joined [[Amrik Singh|Amrik Singh's]] [[All India Sikh Students Federation|All India Sikh Student Federation]].<ref name=":1" /> During [[Dharam Yudh Morcha]] Sangha courted arrest in protest. Sangha was kept in Ludhiana prison. He was released, but arrested once more after [[Operation Blue Star]], and released again.<ref name=":2" />

== Early actions ==
Sukhwinder Singh Sangha began his militancy after his second prison release. He took part in multiple militant gatherings and associated himself with Ranjit Singh Rana Thru and did multiple militant activities in the [[Majha]] area.<ref name=":2" /> Thru, Sangha, and a group of around other 15 [[Kharku]]s were involved in the robbing of a [[Home guard|Home Guard]] and Railway Police armory on 16 February 1986. They took 16 [[rifle]]s and 440 [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridges]] of ammunitions.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4StuAAAAMAAJ |title=Terrorism in Punjab: Cause and Cure |date=1987 |publisher=Panchnad Research Institute |pages=126 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{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=1509 |language=en}}</ref> Thru, and Sangha were also involved in killings of looters in Majha.<ref name=":3" />

== Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan ==
On 25 August 1987, Rana Thru was killed in a police encounter, leaving Sangha alone.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A5lPAQAAMAAJ |title=Asian Bulletin |date=1987 |publisher=APACL Publications |pages=70 |language=en}}</ref> Sangha soon met [[Gurbachan Singh Manochahal]], the head of [[Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan]]. Sangha joined BTFK and became its [[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]]. Sangha led the day-to-day operations of BTFK and led 50-80 Kharkus.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /> Around this time Sangha made a statement in the press appealing for Kharkus to not be involved in "personal problems", to not harass "innocents", and to use weapons against "tyrants" and not to "cause terrorism". Sangha also appealed for people to see Kharkus as "brothers" and not "terrorists". Sangha also reveled that his father had been murdered and said he did not join the movement to kill "personnel enemies" and said he would not do anything until "evidence has been revealed".<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 1987 |title=ਲੈਫਟੀਨੈਟ ਜਨਰਲ ਸੰਘਾ ਦਾ ਕੌਮ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਦੇਸ਼ |trans-title=Lt. General Sangha’s message to the Sikh community |work=[[Punjabi Tribune]] |pages=8}}</ref>

On 26 January 1988, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing eight [[National Security Guard|Black Cats]]. Sangha alleged in a press note that the eight had sent letters in his name attempting to [[Extortion|extort]] people. Sangha said that they were killed as they went to take 500,000 rupees from a family they had sent extortion letters to.<ref>{{Cite news |title=ਵਾਰਦਾਤਾਂ |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]] |pages=7}}</ref>

On 29 May 1988, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 4 and injuring 4 on 28 May 1988, in [[Hoshiarpur]] for celebrating [[Operation Black Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 1988 |title=ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਲਈ |trans-title=Responsibility taken |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]]}}</ref> Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing 1 [[Nirankari]] in [[Phagwara]], and claimed responsibility for killing 3 and injuring 2 people in 2 separate incidents for alleged blasphemy and anti-Sikh acts.<ref name="ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਲਈ">{{Cite news |title=ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਲਈ |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]]}}</ref>

On 22 October 1988, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was surrounded by police in Turr while eating at a home of a pro-Kharku family. The police opened unprovoked fire on Sangha and the residents of the home and Sangha responded killing 3 officers and fleeing with the pro-Kharku family in order to ensure their protection.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 1988 |title=ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਲਈ |work=Ajit |pages=7}}</ref>

Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 2 [[Home Guard (India)|Homeguards]] in Dublia on 20 March 1989. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing 2 soldiers in Lanbhi Bhai and 1 soldier in Samadhur. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing police informants in Herna Thava.<ref>World Sikh News 14 April 1989 Page 35 (Punjabi)</ref>

On 8 April 1989, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 6 police informants of one family in Jaspal. One of the killed had recently been released from Jodhpur Prison after a 5 year sentence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Des Pardes - April 14 1989 |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=10362&page=4&CategoryID=2&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=2 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=www.panjabdigilib.org}}</ref>

=== Encounter in Mussa ===
On 24 June 1989, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was involved in a fierce encounter at Mussa near [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]]. The night before a police informant informed [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (Operations) Avtar Singh Chhetra that Sangha was in the village Mussa.<ref name=":5">[https://crpf.gov.in/writereaddata/images/pdf/534062020.pdf CRPF Samachar 1989]</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=S.P. Shot Dead In Tarn Taran |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/s-p-shot-dead-in-tarn-taran/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Sikh Heritage Education |language=en-US}}</ref> Chettra decided to wait until the morning to surround Mussa believing the Kharkus would manage to slip away in the night.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=25 June 1989 |title=ਭਿੰਡਰਾਂਵਾਲਾ ਟਾਈਗਰਜ਼ ਫੋਰਸ ਦਾ ਜਨਰਲ ਸੁਖਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਘਾ ਸਮੇਤ ੫ ਖਾੜਕੂ ਤੇ ਐਸ.ਪੀ. ਹਲਾਕ |trans-title=5 Kharkus killed with BTF General Sukhwinder Singh Sangha and SP |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]] |pages=1, 7}}</ref> Chhetra surrounded Mussa with a combined force of [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]], [[Central Reserve Police Force]] and [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] [[Commando]]s. Chhetra led the operation with CRPF head of Punjab Deputy Inspector General [[Sarbdeep Singh Virk]] and Punjab Police head of Tarn Taran district Senior Superintendent of Police Baldev Singh.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":4" /> Sangha was in Mussa along with Racchpal Singh Ghuk, Kulwant Singh Kanta, Balwant Singh Brahpuri, Manjinder Singh, and Kulwant Singh Kakka in a home.<ref name=":6">World Sikh News Page 24 (Punjabi)</ref><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> According to a later press note from Sangha there were 10,000 security forces<ref name=":7" /> that had surrounded Mussa.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=9 July 1989 |title=ਭੀ.ਟੀ.ਐਫ ਦਾ ਜਨਰਲ ਸੁਖਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਘਾ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਿਚ ਹੈ |trans-title=BTF’s General Sukhwinder Singh Sangha is in Chardikala |work=[[Ajit (newspaper)|Ajit]] |pages=7}}</ref>

Chhetra called for the Kharkus to surrender, but the Kharkus did not surrender. As the CRPF and Police force moved towards the Kharkus, Sangha and the others opened fire.<ref name=":5" /> Sangha and the militants moved to more defensive positions.<ref name=":8" /> After some time of fighting between the Kharkus and Security Forces Sangha and the others once more changed their position and killed Chhetra near his jeep.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-22 |title=Police Commemoration Day: In remembering the slain, stories of loss, bravery — and belonging |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-commemoration-day-in-remembering-the-slain-stories-of-loss-bravery-and-belonging-6832333/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The encounter continued for 10 hours and ended at 6:30 after DIG Virk and SSP Baldev Singh brought reinforcements.<ref name=":5" /> Initially it was reported by police that Sangha had died in the encounter,<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2" /> but Sangha latter came out and said to the press that he managed to survive the encounter.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":2" />

Initially when it was reported Sangha was killed Gurdwaras across Punjab held [[Akhand Path]]s for Sangha to be alive. Sangha said in his statement that, "Daas (Slave, a term used in humility) is in [[Chardi kala|Chardi Kala]]." Sangha said he escaped during the encounter.<ref name=":7" />

=== Attack on CRPF ===
On 28 December 1989, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha and fellow Kharkus attacked a CRPF outposts in front of [[Golden Temple|Harimander Sahib]] ([[Golden Temple]]). Sangha and the Kharkus surrounded the outpost and opened fire. In 2 minutes Sangha and the Kharkus had killed all 4 CRPF soldiers present. They took their weapons and equipment. The CRPF had been accused of forcibly searching and harassing Sikhs heading to Harimander Sahib.<ref>World Sikh News Page 1, 3 (Punjabi)</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmar |first=Moonis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIvaAAAAMAAJ&q=28+December+1989+tarn+taran+crpf |title=Violence and Terrorism in South Asia: Chronology and Profiles, 1971-2004 |date=2005 |publisher=Bureau of Composition, Compilation & Translation, University of Karachi |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

On 6 February 1990, Sangha set up a checkpoint near Jagatpura (near [[Rupnagar, Punjab|Ropar/Rupnagar]]) and engaged in an encounter with two police officers who arrived at the checkpoint. The police arrived at the checkpoint on motorcycle and opened fire then began to flee. The 2 officers were killed while fleeing. Sangha added in a statement that police officers should abandon their job or risk facing a similar fate.<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |title=Des Pardes Weekly March 9–16 |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=10381&page=4&CategoryID=2&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=2 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=www.panjabdigilib.org |pages=6, 18}}</ref>

=== Separation with Manochahal ===
In February 1990 Sangha left Manochahal's BTFK and formed his own faction with most of the Kharkus previously under his command. Sangha first associated himself with [[Khalistan Commando Force]] of Wasssan Singh Zaffarwal, but later in October 1990 joined the Sohan Sigh Panthic Committee consisting of [[Khalistan Liberation Force]], Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar), [[Babbar Khalsa|Babbar Khalsa International]], and [[All India Sikh Students Federation|Sikh Student Federation]] (Bittu).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chima |first=Jugdep S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZKeAQAACAAJ |title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements |date=2010 |publisher=SAGE India |isbn=978-81-321-1286-0 |pages=190–191 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt3fhs4b |title=Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants |date=1996 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-1592-2 |pages=159|jstor=j.ctt3fhs4b }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Judge |first=Paramjit S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8z5uAAAAMAAJ |title=Religion, Identity, and Nationhood: The Sikh Militant Movement |date=2005 |publisher=Rawat Publications |isbn=978-81-7033-949-6 |pages=205 |language=en}}</ref> To fund his newly created group Sangha mortgaged his land for 60,000 rupees. He is said to have spent the money to buy better equipment and guns for his men.<ref name=":2" />

==== Post separation ====
According to police Sangha was involved in encounter in [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]], Malmohri, and Pandori Gola in this time period. Sangha managed to make it out of all these encounters alive and in Pandori Gola escaped by assistance from his Deputy who threw bombs at the security forces that had surrounded the village.<ref name=":2" />

On 16 February 1990, Sangha's BTFK, KCF, BKI, and SSF collectively claimed responsibility for an explosion in [[Phillaur]] that killed Inspector Harcharan Singh Soori and Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Moorti on the 11th. The bomb also wounded two Sergeants. The explosion happened in an armoured and guarded police training facility. Soori and Moorti were put in a special armoured room for extra safety, but were killed at 9 pm from an explosion within their room. Both officers had been accused of torturing Sikhs. Inspector Soori had survived a previous assassination attempt in 1988. Both officers were involved in the killing of the Kharku Mathra Singh in 1988.<ref>World Sikh News (Punjabi) 16 February 1990 Page 2, 5</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=2 more senior cops die in blast |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/2-more-senior-cops-die-in-blast/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 6 April 1990, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing five [[Border Security Force|BSF]] soldiers near [[Hoshiarpur]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Des Pardes Weekly March 31 - April 6 |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=10376&page=7&CategoryID=2&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=2 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=www.panjabdigilib.org |page=7}}</ref> On 20 April Sangha claimed responsibility for killing Communist leader Hardev Singh. Hardev had been lured and then kidnapped by Sangha’s men acting as reporters. He was decapitated and his head was hung on a community gate as a warning to communists who opposed the Insurgency. Sangha also issued a warning to those who loot innocents and do extortions.<ref>World Sikh News (Punjabi) 20 April 1990 Page 3</ref> On 27 April Sangha claimed responsibility for the [[Sarpanch]] of [[Bibi Pur]], Ram Lal. Sangha said that he had joined [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] and for that was killed.<ref>World Sikh News (Punjabi) 27 April 1990 Page 4</ref>

On 25 May 1990, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing Communist leader Kartar Chand near Nurpur Thana. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing a soldier named Bhag Singh in Uaid. Sangha stated Bhag Singh was a rapists and thus killed as punishment.<ref name=":42">World Sikh News (Punjabi) 25 May 1990 Page 3</ref>

On 29 June 1990, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was involved in a 2 hour encounter in Gill Varech in Amristar district. Sangha survived the encounter injured and killed several officers. An associate of Sangha died in the encounter.<ref>World Sikh News Page 8 29 June 1990</ref>

On 31 August 1990, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing a police constable. He also claimed responsibility for destroying [[Border Security Force|BSF]] jeeps and killing BSF near [[Nakodar]] and for killing a looter.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last= |date=31 August 1990 |title=ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀਆਂ ਲਈਆਂ |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/year-1990/august-1990/august-31-1990/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Death ==
{{cleanup section|reason=[[WP:REFBOMB]]|date=May 2024}}
On 3 November 1990 Sukhwinder Singh Sangha died in a fierce encounter with police.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11">World Sikh News 9 November Page 1 (Punjabi)</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=2012-04-07 |title='Not-so-deserving' beneficiaries |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/not-so-deserving-beneficiaries/story-q0Jaj2ygYqQbTqx9VCaPgP.html |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=25 November 1990 |title=ਐਸ.ਪੀ. ਦੀ ਜੀਪ ਉਡਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ |trans-title=SP’s jeep is blown up |work=[[Rozana Spokesman]] |pages=1}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0YnAAAAMAAJ |title=Asian Bulletin |date=1991 |publisher=APACL Publications |pages=68 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4FDAAAAYAAJ |title=Data India |date=1990 |publisher=Press Institute of India |pages=526 |language=en}}</ref> Punjab Police, CRPF, and other security forces under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (Operations) Harjit Singh received a tip off from an informant that Sangha was in the village Bhullar. Harjit led a large security force,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Punjab Police - Martyrs-Gallery |url=https://punjabpolice.org/martyr/index.html |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=punjabpolice.org}}</ref><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11" /> according to statement by militants the force numbered 20,000,<ref name=":9" /> and by 4am had completely surrounded Bhullar. Sangha was in the village with Bikramjit Singh Narla, Baljit Singh Khela, Manjit Singh Madho, and Rameshpal Singh Patiala.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":2" /> The Kharkus fought the Security Force and the encounter began early in the morning. After continued fire and the Security Force's inability to move forward, Harjit Singh called for [[Bulletproofing|bulletproof]] vehicles and bulletproof tractors to be used. The Kharkus repulsed multiple advances made by the Security Forces. After a 5 hour "fierce" and "deadly" encunter Sangha and his fellow Kharkus were killed.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":15" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":12" /> Their bodies were immediately burned by police. At the time Sangha had a 2,200,000 rupee [[Bounty (reward)|reward on his head]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":9" />

=== Aftermath ===
Sangha was succeeded by Racchpal Singh Chandra as head of BTFK. Following Sanogha's death KLF, KCF, BTFK, BKI, and SSF issued a joint statement in praise of Sangha and countered "lies" about Sangha's final encounter. They also issued a warning that within one month Sangha's killer will be killed.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":11" /> The Kharkus were supported by [[Shiromani Akali Dal|Akali Dal]] and [[Simranjit Singh Mann]] in the call for a state wide [[bandh]] in Punjab on 5–6 November. In some area the bandh was extended. The bandh was 'successful' with no bank, school, collage, and government building opened during the bandh.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=14 November 1990 |title=ਸੰਘਾ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਂਜਲੀਆ-ਰੁਕਾਵਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੲਵਜੂਦ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਪੁਜੀਆਂ |trans-title=Tributes to Sangha-Despite roadblocks thousands arrive |work=[[Punjabi Tribune]] |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Surjeet |first=Harkishan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RzJuAAAAMAAJ |title=Deepening Punjab Crisis, a Democratic Solution |date=1992 |publisher=Patriot Publishers |isbn=978-81-7050-142-8 |pages=364 |language=en}}</ref>

On 12 November [[Akhand Path]]s in memory of Sangha ended and a Shaheedi Samagam (Martyr Gathering) was held for Sangha. Despite roadblocks being set across Punjab thousands of Sikhs arrived. [[Damdami Taksal]], [[Jathedar]]s, Kharkus, [[Sevā|Kar Seva]], Akali Dal and other Sikh groups took part. They awarded Sangha with the title of "20th-century [[Hari Singh Nalwa]]". Nirmal Singh Chohla, a [[Kavishari|Kavishir]], sang a [[Vaar]] in honor of Sangha and later released it as an album.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":14" />

On 24 November KLF, BKI, KCF, BTFK, and SSF killed SP (Operations) Harjit Singh in a remote controlled bomb explosion in revenge for killing Sangha. Harjit died with 3 of his bodyguards, and 3 others were injured. At around 8:45 am as Harjit headed to his office in [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]] with 2 security vehicles. As Harjit’s vehicle arrived to a rural position Kharkus pressed a button and set off a remote controlled bomb placed on the road. In the explosion Harjit's car went 100 meters away from the sight.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":16" /><ref name=":17" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":19" /><ref name=":13" /> The sound of the explosion was heard from 5 kilometers away.<ref name=":12" /> The 3 security men including the driver in the vehicle were also killed. One of his security vehicle's also sustained damage and 3 security personnel in it were injured. Following the killing a curfew was placed on Tarn Taran. Major Singh of KCF was said to be the mastermind of the assassination.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Sikhs kill police superintendent, eight civilians - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/11/24/Sikhs-kill-police-superintendent-eight-civilians/6320659422800/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x6VKAQAAIAAJ |title=Frontline |date=1994 |publisher=S. Rangarajan for Kasturi & Sons |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{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=400 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRYtAQAAMAAJ |title=The Indian Factories Journal |date=1997 |publisher=Company Law Institute of India Limited |pages=22–24 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13" />

On 23 August 1991, Sangha’s successor, Racchpal Singh Chandra along with fellow members of the Panthic Committee claimed responsibility for killing one police [[Inspector]] and three [[constable]]s in [[Madhya Pradesh]]. The Inspector was said to be involved in Sangha’s killing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSN |title=Militant movement spreading |url=https://sikhheritageeducation.com/militant-movement-spreading/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=SIKH HERITAGE EDUCATION |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>World Sikh News 23 August 1991 Page 5</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Khalistan movement}}

[[Category:1990 deaths]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]
[[Category:Khalistan movement people]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]
[[Category:People from Tarn Taran Sahib]]
[[Category:Sikh terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in India]]
[[Category:Encounters in India]]

Sukhwinder Singh Sangha - Revision history

Bikram Rout: made first biography first draft - done