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Sukhdev Singh (1952 - July 12, 1988), known as Labh Singh, Sukha Sipahi and General Labh Singh, was a former Punjab police officer who took command of the Khalistan Commando Force after its first leader, Manbir Singh Chaheru, was arrested in 1986.

He was an associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and fought against the Indian Army during Operation Bluestar. He was involved in the attack on the Director-General of the Punjab Police, Julio Francis Ribeiro. He masterminded what was then India's largest bank robbery, taking almost Rs. 6 crore ($4.5 million) from Punjab National Bank, Miller Gunj branch, Ludhiana. which enabled Khalistan Commando Force to buy weapons.

Early life

Labh Singh's original name was Sukhdev Singh. He was also known as Sukha Sipahi. He belonged to the same village of Panjwar, tehsil Patti in district Amritsar, and owned 9 acres of land . He had one older brother, named Daljeet Singh. He was married and had two sons. His marriage took place in 1980. His wife’s name was Davinder Kaur.

Punjab Police Services

After finishing his education at Baba Buddha Sahib College, Labh Singh joined the Punjab Police force in 1971 and served the force until he left his job in 1983.

Association with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

The Tribune reported that, in early 80s, after he "came close to" Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, he left the Punjab police and joined the Sikh militant movement.

In May 1984, Labh Singh, Gursewak Singh Babla, Gurinder Singh and Swaranjit Singh were accused of killing Hind Samachar newspaper group editor Ramesh Chander, who was an outspoken critic of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and had written that Punjab had "become a slaughterhouse." In a call to an Amritsar news agency, responsibility for the attack in Jullundur by 4 armed men was claimed by Sikh militant group Deshmesh Regiment. The caller was quoted as saying “Whoever speaks or writes against Saint Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale will be answered with bullets.”

During Operation Blue Star, he fought against Indian Army with other Sikh militants. He was arrested by the army after the operation.

Association with Khalistan Commando Force

He escaped from police custody on April 25, 1986, when Sikh militant leader Manbir Singh Chaheru and his associates attacked Indian security forces that were taking him to trial in the District courts of Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Labh Singh, Gurinder Singh, and Swaranjit Singh were to appear in court on charges of slaying Ramesh Chander, a leading Hindu newspaper editor. Militants freed all three prisoners. Four police officers were killed inside the District Court complex and two other officers "were shot at the courtyard gate as the attackers fled."16 other armed court guards cowered in fear. As per police statement, the sentries were too terrified to fire back. Attackers also took away three rifles and a submachine gun of the slain officers. This single incident became a basis of Roberio’s “Bullet for bullet” policy.

After KCF's first commander-in-chief Manbir Singh Chaheru's arrest and alleged disappearance or death, Labh Singh took over the leadership of Khalistan Commando Force.

He was involved in several police encounters including daylight attack on the Director-General of the Punjab Police Julio Francis Ribeiro on October 3, 1986 inside the headquarters of Punjab Armed Police in the city of Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

He masterminded what was at that time the largest bank robbery in Indian history netting almost 6 crore (58 million rupees-US$4.5 million) from Millar Ganj branch branch of Punjab National Bank, Ludhianaa part of this robbed money belonged to the Reserve Bank of India, India's central bank. Per Chicago Sun Times, "12 to 15 Sikh militants dressed as policemen and armed with submachine guns and rifles escaped with nearly $4.5 million in the biggest bank robbery in Indian history. Indian Police officials described it as 'a neat and clean operation' where no one was injured". It was documented as “Biggest Bank Robbery” under “Curiosities and wonders” in Limca Book of Records. Khalistan Commando Force members who participated in the robbery were Harjinder Singh Jinda, Mathra Singh, Paramjit Singh Panjwar , Satnam Singh Bawa, Gurnam Singh Bundala Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Daljit Singh Bittu, Gursharan Singh Gamma and Pritpal Singh. It enabled the Khalistan Commando Force to buy weapons like AK-47 rifles. Sikh militants often used bank robberies to finance their campaign against the Indian government.

Labh Singh also maintained his links with Babbar Khalsa International

Death and afterward

In June 1988, the Panthic committee appointed Labh Singh a high priest, but on 12 July 1988 he was killed in an encounter with police near Tanda, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.

At that time, he was wanted in relation to the murder of a dozen policemen, Ramesh Chander (a newspaper editor), an attempt on the former Punjab Police Chief Julio Francis Ribeiro, and he was said to be involved in the major Bank heist in Ludhiana, of which he was the mastermind. Amritsar Police Superintendent Suresh Arora said "We have broken the back of the KCF. Sukhdev Singh was the most dreaded of the terrorists."

After his death, his whole family moved out of India and settled in Canada though his father-in-law stayed on in Labh Singh's house, who was further pitilessly whipped by police resulting in his doing suicide by lying in front of a running train. So his Patrimonial house remained deserted for several years but finally it has been taken over by his relatives.

Kanwaljit Singh Sultanwind took over command of his organization afterwards.

See also

• Sikh extremism

Footnotes

1. Mahmood 1997, p. 155
2. "India's most-wanted terrorist captured". New Straits Times Foreign News Service. August 11, 1986. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
3. Atkins, Stephen E. (2004). Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups (illustrated ed.). page 242: Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 404. ISBN 0313324859, 9780313324857. Retrieved June 26, 2009. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
4. ^ Mahmood 1997, p. 79
5. http://books.google.com/books?ei=wLZXSorlFI_CNp-23ZIH&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+kcf+wife&q=labh+singh+largest
6. ^ http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58240583.html?dids=58240583:58240583&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+13%2C+1987&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Sikh+Separatists+Masquerade+as+Police+to+Stage+India's+Biggest+Bank+Robbery&pqatl=google
7. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html
8. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081010/punjab1.htm#11
9. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html
11. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=KOlaSp6wCIz4lQThnY2XBw&id=3eBuAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh%27s+robbery&q=robbery
12. Genesis of terrorism By Satyapal Dang
13. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=WfFaSuC9EYP-lQSU_dDeAQ&id=ZiZnAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+born+panjwar&q=labh
14. Social and political movements by Harish K. Puri, Paramjit S. Judge, Page 391
15. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/punjab1.htm
16. Terrorism By Gurpreet Singh, Gourav Jaswal, Page 97
17. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=WfFaSuC9EYP-lQSU_dDeAQ&id=ZiZnAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+born+panjwar&q=labh
18. India Today, Page 66
19. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=3nNaSruOC4L6lQSX18CSBw&q=labh+singh+Daljit+brother
20. Terrorism: Punjab's recurring nightmare? - Page 97
21. http://www.sikhfreedom.com/labh.html
22. World Sikh News
23. http://www.ektaone.com/literature-mainmenu-27/gursikhs-mainmenu-101?start=25
24. http://www.ektaone.com/literature-mainmenu-27/gursikhs-mainmenu-101?start=25
25. ^ Walia, Varinder (March 8, 2001). "Kin of slain Babbar Khalsa chief shift abroad". The Tribune (Tribune News Service). Retrieved 2009-06-26. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
26. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=e9FaSoWLHIrelATIw6yaBw&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=sukha+sipahi+police&q=80s
27. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=e9FaSoWLHIrelATIw6yaBw&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=sukha+sipahi+police&q=80s
28. Fighting for Faith and Nation By Cynthia Keppley Mahmood - Page 155
29. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=e9FaSoWLHIrelATIw6yaBw&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=sukha+sipahi+police&q=80s
30. The Times of India, Aug 27, 2004
31. ^ "Sikhs Kill 6 On Courthouse Steps". Associated Press (Wilmington Morning Star). April 6, 1986. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
32. Chicago Tribune, May 13, 1984
33. "Murder prompts riot". Wilimington Morning Star. May 13, 1984. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
34. ^ "Top Sikh extremist shot dead by Indian police". New Straits Times. 13 July 1988. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
35. http://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC&pg=PA168&dq=general+labh+singh+fighting+for+faith+and+nation&lr=&num=100&ei=upDaSOfhJKDitQPG2-XeDg&sig=ACfU3U2YnlXSW49kQTTEBo8RDhPhpDFIfQ
36. The Courier - Apr 6, 1986
37. Los Angeles Times - Apr 6, 1986
38. Chicago Tribune, Apr 5, 1986
39. The Free-Lance Star - Apr 5, 1986
40. Ludington Daily News - Apr 4, 1986
43. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99mar07/book.htm#1
44. Fighting for Faith and Nation by By Cynthia Keppley Mahmood - Page 155
45. 'Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups' by Stephen E. Atkins
46. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020125/punjab1.htm
47. http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=4e9019ee-c9cd-4459-8a1f-e4f08238125e
48. http://books.google.com/books?ei=wLZXSorlFI_CNp-23ZIH&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+kcf+wife&q=labh+singh+largest
49. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58240583.html?dids=58240583:58240583&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+13%2C+1987&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Sikh+Separatists+Masquerade+as+Police+to+Stage+India's+Biggest+Bank+Robbery&pqatl=google
50. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html
51. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3810376.html Chicago Sun Times
52. Limca Book of Records
53. Asian Recorder
54. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Paramjit-Singh-Panjwar--Khalistan-Commando-Force-/394235
55. http://books.google.com/books?ei=MDxcSs_PDJOilQSPhLmtDQ&id=YqBtAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+largest+bank+robbery+Punjab+National+Bank+Terrorism+1987&q=robbery
56. http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19981012/28551244.html
57. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=203376
58. http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/armed1.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/308bbafc7afcad6fe5256be600458270/$FILE/bac37002.pdf
59. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=148524
60. http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/armed1.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/308bbafc7afcad6fe5256be600458270/$FILE/bac37002.pdf
61. http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:-RHqp3Lku8gJ:www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/armed1.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/308bbafc7afcad6fe5256be600458270/%24FILE/bac37002.pdf+biggest+bank+robbery+ludhiana&cd=37&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
62. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=203376
63. http://www.ministryoftruth.org.uk/category/news-current-events/
64. The Sikh unrest and the Indian state by By Ram Narayan Kumar, Page 267
65. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ei=KOlaSp6wCIz4lQThnY2XBw&id=3eBuAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh%27s+robbery&q=robbery
66. http://books.google.com/books?id=0nhuAAAAMAAJ&q=Labh+Singh+bhindranwale&dq=Labh+Singh+bhindranwale&lr=&ei=i8NaSt3IDZTklASShfGrBw
67. Martha Crenshaw, ed. (January 1, 1995). Terrorism in Context. page 399: Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 656. ISBN 978-0271010151. Retrieved 30 May 2009.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
68. http://www.sikhtimes.com/sikhism_timeline.html
69. Gill, K.P.S. (May 1999). "Endgame In Punjab: 1988-1993". Faultlines. 1 (1). page 29: Institute for Conflict Management. Retrieved June 25, 2009.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
70. http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/punjab/backgrounder/index.html
71. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3389227357B84&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
72. http://books.google.com/books?ei=GTtcSpnDHYrklATB-NCpBw&id=5ppuAAAAMAAJ&dq=labh+singh+largest+terrorism&q=labh+singh+largest+bank+robbery+Punjab+National+Bank
73. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/punjab1.htm

References

• Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1997). Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants (illustrated ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 314. ISBN 9780812215922.

External links

• Biography of Labh Singh from one pro-Khalistan POV
• Kang, Charanjit Singh (Spring 2005). "Counterterrorism: Punjab: A Case Study" (PDF). Master's Thesis - MA in Criminology. Simon Fraser University. p. 234. Retrieved 2009-06-30.

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• Indian Sikhs
• Khalistan movement people
• Indian murder victims
• People murdered in India
• Indian police officers
• Living people
• 1988 deaths