39 years of Operation Bluestar.

Operation Bluestar:

• Operation Blue Star took birth after the rise of Khalistan movement in India.
• The Khalistan movement was a political Sikh nationalist movement which aimed at creating an independent state for Sikhs.
• JARNAIL SINGH BHINDRANWALE
  • Bhindranwale was the leader of Damdami Taksal and was one of the main reasons behind Operation Blue Star.
  • As a leader, Bhindranwale had an influence on Sikh youth.
  • During Operation Blue Star, Bhindranwale and Khalistan supporters took over the Akal Takht complex in Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
  • Bhindranwale was seen as a supporter of the creation of Khalistan.
  • Operation Blue Star specifically was aimed to eliminate Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the Golden Temple complex and regain the control over Harmandir Sahib.
• OPERATION SUNDOWN
  • Operation Sundown was the aborted mission which was planned by the RAW agency to abduct Bhindranwale.
• OPERATION BLACK THUNDER
  • Operation Black Thunder was the second phase of Operation Blue Star.
  • The first phase was carried out on April 30, 1986, while the second Operation Black Thunder began on May 9, 1988.
  • It was carried out by Black Cat commandos of National Security Guards (NSG) to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple.
• Operation Blue Star was divided into two parts:
  • Operation Metal:
    • It was limited to Golden Temple but it also led to Operation Shop – the capturing of suspects from outskirts of Punjab.
  • Operation Woodrose:
    • It was launched throughout Punjab.
    • The operation was carried out by Indian Army, using tanks, artillery, helicopters and armored vehicles.

• THE AFTERMATH
  • The military assault led to tensions across members of Sikh community worldwide.
  • Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, for giving permission for the Operation Blue Star