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#REDIRECT [[Khalistan movement#Militancy]]
{{POV|date=December 2008}}<!--- Multiple editors on the talk page refer (including the editor who keeps deleting the flag) to PoV problems with the article. There is a section on the talk page to discuss removing this flag. Please leave it in until consensus is reached. --->
{{See also|Khalistan movement|Indian Independence Movement|Punjab insurgency}}
'''Sikh extremism''' refers to [[coercion|threats]] or acts of [[violence]] against [[civilian]]s, or material support for the acts of violence.
Some [[extremists]] have been [[separatism|separatists]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Puneet Singh Lamba |url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061005a.html |title=News and Analysis - Khalistan: Danger Sign |publisher=The Sikh Times |date=2005-06-10 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref> pursuing the formation of a [[Sikh]] state, often referred to as [[Khalistan]].<ref name="Terrorthreatbook">{{cite book|last=Hamilton|first=Dwight|coauthors=Kostas Rimsa|title=Terror Threat|publisher=Dundurn Press|page= 26|date=19 November 2007|edition=Hardcover|pages=248 pages|isbn=978-1550027365|url=http://books.google.com/?id=zMgijln_FvMC&pg=PA26&dq=%22sikh+extremism%22|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref>
Some extremists took part in the [[Indian independence movement]].<ref name="autogenerated275">The Asiatic review, Volume 15 By East India Association (London, England) page 275 .. the Kuka, an extremist Sikh sect, not being found north or west of the ...</ref><ref>A companion to postcolonial studies By Henry Schwarz, Sangeeta Ray Page 261 ....Kuka sect among Sikhs. Having faced British guns in 1872, they have been hailed occasionally as freedom-fighters, and yet their activities principally concerened bitter attacks on Islam and on cow-slaughter issue, culminating in the murder of some Muslim butchers at Amritsar and Ludiana in 1871.</ref>
Some extremists took part in sectarian or other religious violence.<ref name="turbanedsikhs"/><ref name="sikhsfight"/><ref name="sikhsclash"/>
[[Religious terrorism]]<!--If changed to Sikh Terrorism, please provide Reliable Sources. There is no such term. This term, however, does exist, and is linked--> has been used in the [[Khalistan movement]].<ref name="CDI">{{cite web|url=http://www.cdi.org/program/issue/document.cfm?DocumentID=2224&IssueID=138&StartRow=1&ListRows=10&appendURL=&Orderby=DateLastUpdated&ProgramID=39&issueID=138|title=Explaining Religious Terrorism Part 1: The Axis of Good and Evil|last=Burgess|first=Mark|date=20 May 2004|publisher=Center for Defense Information|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=34319|title=India’s Sikh Militants Forming Ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani Intelligence|publisher=Terrorism Monitor Volume: 7 Issue: 1}}</ref>
It has been suggested that addressing [[extremism]] requires both [[political]] and [[religion|religious]] action.<ref name="multipleproblem">{{cite journal|year=1987|title=Page 52|journal=ICSSR journal of abstracts and reviews|publisher=Indian Council of Social Science Research|volume=14|url=http://books.google.com/?id=7vk7AAAAIAAJ&dq=ICSSR+journal+of+abstracts+and+reviews++By+Indian+Council+of+Social+Science+Research+extremism&q=tackled+on+both|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref>

==Indian independence movement==
{{See also|Indian Independence Movement}}
Sikh extremist <ref>Like Hidden Fire: The Plot to Bring Down the British Empire Page 66 ... ceased when Hopkinson was shot dead by a Sikh extremist who had discovered what he was up to. Careful scrutiny, however, of intercepted copies of Ghadr</ref> activity in the independence movement seems to have started in the late mid-19th century, with agitation against British rule, by the extremist Sikh sect<ref>The Asiatic review, Volume 15 By East India Association (London, England) page 275 .. the Kuka, an extremist Sikh sect, not being found north or west of the ...</ref> of Kuka ([[Namdhari]]).

In the early 20th century, other Sikhs who employed extremist tactics emerged whose goals were Indian independence and the British leaving India. Such extremists included [[Kartar Singh Sarabha]] ([[Ghadar conspiracy]]),<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=H71qNi6cF94C&pg=PA66&dq=ghadr+extremist#v=onepage&q=ghadr%20extremist |title=On secret service east of Constantinople: the plot to bring down the British ...By Peter Hopkirk |publisher=Books.google.co.uk |date= 2001-11-08|accessdate=2009-09-24 | isbn=9780192802309}}</ref> [[Bhagat Singh]],<ref name="India Page 270">Freedom fighters of India: (in four volumes) By Lion M. G. Agrawal Page 270</ref><ref name="autogenerated210">The Great Pictorial History of World Crime By Jay Robert Nash page 210 "former governor of Punjab, was shot to death in London by extremist Udham Singh, a Sikh, who was hanged on 25 June l940."</ref> Ajmere Singh,<ref>Emergence of the image: redact documents of Udham Singh By Navtej Singh, Avtar Singh Jouhl Page 129 Using Ajmere Singh's telegram as a lever Menon proceeded to approach Shiv Singh, ... (with the possible exception of a few extremist Sikhs) approves of it. ...</ref> and [[Udham Singh]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=FJu9Dkv_2zEC&pg=PA266&dq=udham+singh+extremist+sikh#v=onepage&q=udham%20singh%20extremist%20sikh |title=Freedom fighters of India: (in four volumes)By Lion M. G. Agrawal Page 266 |publisher=Books.google.co.uk |date=1940-07-31 |accessdate=2009-10-03 | isbn=9788182054707}}</ref>

Ajit Singh, Kishan Singh were [[Kartar Singh Sarabha]]'s co-conspirators, and were also alleged by the British to be Extremists . Sikhs participated in Indian independence movement with such a zeal that Pandit [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]] advised Hindus to raise at least one of their family members as Sikh. Sikhs also raised several rebel units in Japan, Italy and Germany. Sikhs also engineered the Marine Revolt in Bombay and the Signal Regimental mutiny in Jubblepur, India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/historical-events/historical-sikh-events-indian-independence.html |title=Historical Sikh Events: Indian Independence &#124; Historical Events :Gateway to Sikhism |publisher=Allaboutsikhs.com |date= |accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref>

== History of Sikh separatism ==
Sikh separatism began in [[British Raj|colonial times]],<!-- Quote:"In colonial times, demands for a separate state were made upon the British."--><ref name="Mackenzie">{{cite web|url=http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/other_peoples_wars2.htm#sikh|title=Other people's wars: A Review of Overseas Terrorism in Canada|publisher=The Mackenzie Institute|accessdate=2009-05-30|quote=For a brief period, between 1799 and 1849, Sikhs were able to fend off aggressors and maintain a state of their own.}}</ref>
or soon after [[partition of India|India gained independence in 1947]].<ref name="RNWSikhExt">{{cite news|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/asiapacific/080306-india-sikh-extremism|title=India PM warns against renewed Sikh extremism|last=Thorne|first=Barry|date=06-03-2008|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref>
By the 1970s, some felt the government of India had not responded adequately to Sikh grievances.<ref name="nytenvoy" />

A demand for a separate Sikh [[homeland]] was made by [[Jagjit Singh Chauhan]], who at the time was [[Secretary General]] of the [[Akali Dal]] [[political party|party]].
In 1971, Jagjit Singh was expelled from the party for his "[[nationalism|anti-nationalistic]]" activities.
<ref name="Dictionary of terrorism">{{cite book|last=Thackrah|first=John|title=Dictionary of Terrorism|publisher=Routledge|pages= 242–243|date=19 December 2003|edition=2nd|page=336|isbn=978-0415298216|url=http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Terrorism-John-R-Thackrah/dp/0415298210#reader|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> He later returned to India, denouncing terrorism and pursuing Khalistan through democratic means.<ref name="KhalistanBy2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/bios_060604b.html|title=Jagjit Singh Chauhan: "Khalistan Will Be Formed by 2007" |last=TAYAL |first=M.K.|date=6 June 2004 |publisher=The Sikh Times|accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref>

In October, 1991, The New York Times reported that "many"<ref name="nytenvoy"/> Sikhs claimed they were being discriminated against, and that the Punjab region was not treated equally with other regions of India. "<ref name="nytenvoy">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/10/world/envoy-of-romania-abducted-in-india.html?scp=1&sq=envoy+of+romania+abducted&st=nyt|title=ENVOY OF ROMANIA ABDUCTED IN INDIA|last=GARGAN|first=EDWARD|date=10 October 1991|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-29|quote=India has failed to give Punjab state equal treatment in national investment, although the state has India's highest per capita income. Many of them also maintain that Sikh religious rights have been neglected or repressed.}}</ref> By February 1997, a UN report appears to have found that Sikhs had religious freedom, but that there were reports<ref name="globalsecurity.org" /> of discriminatory practices in public administration.<ref name="globalsecurity.org" />

Some<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=Ne040807operation_silence.asp |title=Free. Fair. Fearless |publisher=Tehelka |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/victims.html |title=CBC News In Depth: Air India - Bombing of Air India Flight 182 |publisher=Cbc.ca |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref> argue that individuals<ref>Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5 By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani</ref> or organisations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/541152/Shiromani-Akali-Dal |title=Shiromani Akali Dal (Sikh political party, India) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref> have committed acts of [[terrorism]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/ |title=CBC News In Depth: Sikh politics in Canada |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref> in support of the [[Khalistan movement]].<ref>{{cite news|author=By STEVEN R. WEISMAN, Special to the New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/05/world/sikh-violence-in-punjab-a-threat-to-indian-unity.html |title=Sikh Violence in Punjab A Threat to Indian Unity - The New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=1987-10-05 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref>

==Abatement of extremism==
In 1999, [[Kuldip Nayar]], writing for [[Rediff.com]], stated in his article "It is fundamentalism again", that the Sikh "masses" had rejected terrorists.<ref name="rediffeject">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/feb/22nayar.htm|title=It is fundamentalism again|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|date=22 February 1999|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>
By 2001, Sikh extremism and the demand for Khalistan had all but abated.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jodhka |first= Surinder S. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2001 |month=April. 21-27 |title=Looking Back at the Khalistan Movement: Some Recent Researches on Its Rise and Decline |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=36 |issue=16 |pages= 1311–1318 |id= |url= |accessdate= 2008-12-18 |quote=''Not only has the once powerful Khalistan movement virtually disappeared, even the appeal of identity seems to have considerably declined during the last couple of years'' }}</ref>
Simrat Dhillon, writing in 2007 for the [[Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies]], noted that while a few groups continued to fight, "the movement has lost its popular support both in India and within the Diaspora community".<ref name="SikhDiaspora">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/1787132181IPCS-ResearchPaper12-SimratDhillon.pdf|title=The Sikh Diaspora and the Quest for Khalistan: A Search for Statehood or for Self-preservation?|last=Dhillon|first=Simrat|date=December 2007|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>
[[Mark Juergensmeyer]], Director, Orfalea Centre for Global & International Studies, UCSB, reported in his paper "From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: Understanding Religious Violence", “The movement is over,” as many militants had been killed, imprisoned, or driven into hiding, and because public support was gone.<ref name="dubiousreference1">{{cite web|url=http://juergensmeyer.com/files/ASU%20volume-%2006CHAP02_JUERGENSMEYER.pdf|title=From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: Understanding Religious Violence|last=Juergensmeyer|first=Mark|date=2004 or later - not given|publisher=Self|page=30|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>

== Extremist activity ==
===1947 and before===
In 1872 Kuka Sikhs were described as an "extremist Sikh sect".<ref name="autogenerated275"/>
As part of the Indian Independence Movement,<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/kuka-movement-first-struggle-for-independence/317770/ Kuka movement first struggle for Independence].</ref> they committed a number of acts such as attacking and killing butchers.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=2lu7HatPQCoC&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=kuka+murder+butchers&q=kuka%20murder%20butchers |title=Rebels against the British rule / Nahar Singh By Bhai Nahar Singh & Bhai Kirpal Singh |publisher=Books.google.co.uk |date= 1995-01-01|accessdate=2009-08-25 | isbn=9788171561643}}</ref>

In 1937, Rattan Singh and other Sikhs, while being transported from Indian island Andamans, assassinated several British soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/historical-events/historical-sikh-events-indian-independence.html |title=Historical Sikh Events: Indian Independence &#124; Gateway to Sikhism |publisher=Allaboutsikhs.com |date= |accessdate=2009-09-24}}</ref>

[[Udham Singh]], of Sikh background, was described variously as a freedom fighter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabheritage.org/content/view/650/28/ |title=Shaheed Udham Singh statue in dire straits |publisher=Punjab Heritage |date=2007-08-02 |accessdate=2009-08-25}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
an "extremist revolutionary",<ref name="India Page 270"/><ref name="autogenerated210"/><ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=FJu9Dkv_2zEC&pg=PA266&lpg=PA266&dq=Udham+Singh+extremist+michael&q=Udham%20Singh%20extremist%20michael |title=Freedom fighters of India: (in four ... - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=1940-07-31 |accessdate=2009-08-25 | isbn=9788182054707}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sju.ca/library/moffat_headley_essay.pdf |title=Christopher Moffat |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref>
and a terrorist.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
While Udham Singh was living in the UK, he shot and killed [[Michael O'Dwyer]] in London on 1 April 1940.
O'Dwyer had been the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab at the time of [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amritsar.com/Jallian%20Wala%20Bagh.shtml |title=Amritsar Massacre - Jallian Wala Bagh |publisher=Amritsar.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref>
Udham Singh was hanged in UK on 25 June 1940, and his ashes were returned to India in 1974.<ref name="google1"/>

[[Bhagat Singh]], a Sikh by religion, was active in the Indian independence struggle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/7141/92/ |title=West Bengal steals Punjab's prerogative over statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=quamiekta.com |url=http://www.quamiekta.com/englishnews/p.php?q=726 |title=Shaheed Bhagat-Singh Sandhu - Quami Ekta Punjabi Newspaper |publisher=Quamiekta.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.searchsikhism.com/bhagat.html |title=Sikh Martyrs - Bhagat Singh |publisher=Searchsikhism.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabheritage.org/content/view/1139/31/ |title=Bhagat Singh stands tall in Parliament |publisher=Punjab Heritage |date=2008-08-17 |accessdate=2009-08-25}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He was called an extremist by [[Mahatama Gandhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=23396 |title=Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh by Kuldip Nayar |publisher=Indiaclub.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref> He murdered a Lahore Police officer and his mercy plea was rejected by British Viceroy of India Lord Irwin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/386377541.html?dids=386377541:386377541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+20%2C+1931&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=HANGING+PERILS+PEACE+IN+INDIA&pqatl=google |title=Hanging Perils Peace In India |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=1931-03-20 |accessdate=2009-09-24}}</ref>

===1980s===

Immediately after [[Operation Blue Star]], authorities were unprepared for how quickly extremism spread and gained support in [[Canada]], with extremists "...threatening to kill thousand of Hindus by a number of means, including blowing up Air India flights."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=86965 |title=Sikh extremism spread fast in Canada |date=23 May 2007 |publisher=expressindia.com |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ia.rediff.com/news/2007/may/23ai1.htm |title=Sikh extremism in Canada mushroomed very quickly |date=23 May 2007|publisher=rediff.com |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

The 1985 bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]] off [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], the deadliest aircraft terror attack until the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and the attempted bombing of [[Air India Flight 301]], were alleged by the Canadian government to have been carried out by Sikh extremists. However, [[Inderjit Singh Reyat]], of the ISYF, who was found guilty of manslaughter for making the bombs, is the only individual convicted in these attacks as of 2 May 2010.
<ref name="ISYFlink" />
<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9bfcf081-3b29-45ea-8bb3-ad82c051bcbb |title=Air India bombmaker sent to holding centre|last=Bolan|first=Kim |date=9 February 2008 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/09/bc-air-india-reyat-bail.html |title=Convicted Air India bomb-builder Inderjit Singh Reyat gets bail |first=staff |date=9 July 2008 |publisher=CBC News |accessdate=2009-06-10}}</ref>

Canadian [[Member of Parliament]] [[Ujjal Dosanjh]], a moderate Sikh, stated that he and others who spoke out against Sikh extremism in the 1980s faced a "reign of terror".<ref name="THESTAR">{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/article/278833 |title='The reign of terror is still there' |last=Brown |first=Jim |date=22 November 2007<!-- 04:30 AM--> |place=Toronto |publisher=''[[Toronto Star]]'' |accessdate=2008-11-14}}</ref>

===1990s===
[[GlobalSecurity.org]] reported that, in the early 1990s, journalists who did not conform to militant-approved behavior were targeted for death.
It also reports that there were indiscriminate attacks designed to cause extensive civilian casualties: derailing trains, exploding bombs in markets, restaurants, and other civilian areas between Delhi and Punjab.
It further reported that militants assassinated many of those moderate Sikh leaders who opposed them and sometimes killed rivals within the militant group.
It also stated that many civilians who had been kidnapped by extremists were murdered if the militants' demands were not met.
Finally, it reports that Hindus left Punjab by the thousands.
<ref name="globalsecurity.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/punjab.htm|title=Military:Sikhs in Punjab|first=no author specified|date=no date given|publisher=globalsecurity.org|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

In August 1991, [[Julio Ribeiro]], then [[India]]n [[Ambassador]] to [[Romania]]<ref name="BODBIO">{{cite web|url=http://www.glenmarkpharma.com/about/bod.html|title=Board of Directors|first=unnamed|date=undated|publisher=[[Glenmark Pharmaceuticals]] Limited|accessdate=2009-05-31}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
was attacked and wounded in a [[Bucharest]] assassination attempt by gunmen<ref name=Latshot>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/india-foreign-relations-romania|title=World IN BRIEF - ROMANIA - Gunmen Wound India Ambassador|date=21 August 1991 |publisher=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> identified as [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]i Sikhs.<ref name=nytenvoy />

Sikh groups claimed responsibility for the 1991 kidnapping of the [[Romania]]n chargé d'affaires in New Delhi, Liviu Radu.
This appeared to be retaliation for Romanian arrests of KLF members suspected of the attempted assassination of [[Julio Ribeiro]], then 62, the Indian ambassador to Romania, in [[Bucharest]].<ref name="nytenvoy"/><ref name="TIME">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,974111,00.html "World Notes India"], Time magazine, 21 Oct 1991.</ref>
Radu was released unharmed after Sikh politicians criticized the action.<ref>[http://www.sikhsentinel.com/sikhsentinel0309/harpalsingh1.htm "Secret Injustice: The Harpal Singh Case"], Sikh Sentinel, 17 Sep 2003.</ref>

In October, 1991, The New York Times reported that violence had increased sharply in the months leading up to the kidnapping, with Indian security forces or Sikh militants killing 20 or more people per day, and that the militants had been "gunning down" family members of police officers.<ref name="nytenvoy"/>

On 24 January 1995,<ref name=sikhtimesBK>{{cite news|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_121403a.html|title=Testimony: Babbar Khalsa Ordered Tara Singh Hayer Slaying |first=Staff|date=Dec. 14, 2003|publisher=CanWest News Service|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref>
Tarsem Singh Purewal, editor of Britain's Punjabi-language weekly "Des Pardes", was killed as he was closing his office in [[Southall]].
There is speculation that the murder was related to Sikh extremism, which Purewal may have been investigating. Another theory is that he was killed in retaliation for revealing the identity of a young rape victim.
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/748866.stm|title=Call for end to Sikh murder mystery|last=Summers|first=Chris|date=2 June 2000|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4354435.stm|title=Call for police to solve Sikh murder|last=Summers|first=Chris|date=17 March 2005|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

On 31 August 1995, Chief minister [[Beant Singh (chief minister)|Beant Singh]] was killed by a suicide bomber.
Babbar Khalsa claimed responsibility for the assassination, but "security authorities" were reported to be doubtful of the truth of that claim.
<ref name="babarkilledsingh">{{cite web|url=http://www2.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/ndp/ref/index_e.htm?docid=173&cid=0&sec=CH03|title=Issue Paper INDIA SIKHS IN PUNJAB 1994-95 |date=February 1996|publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
A 2006 press release by the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi indicated that the responsible organization was the [[Khalistan Commando Force]].<ref name="KCFconvict" />

On 18 November 1998, Journalist [[Tara Singh Hayer]], was gunned down. The publisher of the "Indo-Canadian Times," a Canadian Sikh and once-vocal advocate of the armed struggle for [[Khalistan]], he had criticized the bombing of Air India flight 182, and was to testify about a conversation he overheard concerning the bombing. Because of his murder, his 15 October 1998, statement to police was not admissible at the trial of Ajaib Singh Bagri.
<ref name=sikhtimesBK />
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/11/17/a-true-sikh-martyr-jonathan-kay-on-the-10th-anniversary-of-the-assassination-of-tara-singh-hayer.aspx|title=A true Sikh martyr: Jonathan Kay on the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Tara Singh Hayer|last=Kay|first=Jonathan|date=17 November 2008|publisher=The National Post|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref><ref name=lofbook>{{cite book|last=Bolan|first=Kim|title=Loss of Faith: How the Air-India Bombers Got Away With Murder|publisher=McClelland & Stewart|date=1 August 2006|edition=Paperback|page=388|chapter=6,7|isbn=978-0771011313}}</ref><ref name="cbcca-extremism"/>

Although extremist violence had continued throughout the decade, the [[United States Department of State]] found that Sikh extremism had decreased significantly from 1992 to 1997, although the 1997 report noted that "Sikh militant cells are active internationally and extremists gather funds from overseas Sikh communities."<ref name="uspatterns">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/1997Report/backg.html|title=Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997 - appendix B|year=1997|publisher=U. S. Department of State|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
In 2004, violence erupted at a protest against a play, "[[Behzti]]" (Dishonour), that was to have been performed at the [[Birmingham Repertory Theatre]].
The protest organizer, Sewa Singh Mandla, chairman of the Birmingham council of Sikh Gurdwaras, blamed the violence on extremist members of [[Sikh Federation (UK)|The Sikh Federation]].
Amrik Singh Gill, chairman of the Federation, said his members had taken part in the opposition to the play from the start, and denied that its members played any part in the violence.
Another member of the Sikh Federation, Kulwinder Singh Johal, expressed happiness that the play had been canceled, confirmed that Sikh Federation members had taken part in the protest against the play, and denied that there had been any violence on the part of the protesters.<ref name="playprotest">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article404969.ece|title=Extremists Hijacked Play Protest|last=O’Neill|first=Sean|coauthors=Nicola Woolcock |date=22 December 2004|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-05-30 | location=London}}</ref>
[[The Sunday Herald]] reported that when it appeared the play might be presented despite the protest, death threats increased, and the playwright went into hiding.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20041226/ai_n12592681/|title=CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF TOLERANCE It wasn t just the arts world that...(remainder lost)|last=Crichton|first=Torcuil|date=26 December 2004 |publisher=The Sunday Herald|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref>
The play was canceled.<ref name="playprotest" />

In 2006, a [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], jury convicted Khalid Awan of providing money and financial services to the Khalistan Commando Force, a terrorist organization responsible for thousands of deaths in India since its founding in 1986.
The investigation began in 2003, when Awan, jailed at the time for credit card fraud, bragged of his relationship with Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, leader of the KCF.
<ref name="KCFconvict">{{cite web|url=http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/pr122106b.html|title=U.S. Court Convicts Khalid Awan for Supporting Khalistan Commando Force|date=20 December 2006|publisher=Embassy of the United States in New Delhi, India|accessdate=2009-05-30}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

[[The Indian Express]] reported in its online edition on 19 June 2006 that "Police claimed" that the KZF was behind bomb blasts in Jalandhar, India, at the Inter-State Bus Terminus that left three people killed and injured 12. A police spokesman said the attack was planned by a pair of KZF leaders, one based in Pakistan and one in Canada, and executed by a "local criminal".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kzf-behind-jalandhar-blasts/6802/|title=KZF behind Jalandhar blasts|date=19 June 2006|publisher=The Indian Express|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref>

[[Terry Milewski]] reported in a 2006 documentary for the CBC <ref name="cbcca-extremism" /> that a minority within Canada's Sikh community was gaining political influence even while publicly supporting terrorist acts in the struggle for an independent Sikh state.
In response, the [[World Sikh Organization of Canada]] (WSO), a Canadian Sikh human rights group that opposes violence and extremism,<ref name="WSO website">{{cite|url=http://www.worldsikh.ca}}</ref> sued the CBC for "defamation, slander and libel", alleging that Milewski linked it to terrorism and damaged the reputation of the WSO within the Sikh community.<ref name="WSOsuesCBC">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/234761|title=Sikh organization sues CBC|last=Grewal |first=San|publisher=Toronto Star|accessdate=2009-05-19 | date=2007-07-11}}</ref>

Canadian journalist [[Kim Bolan]] has written extensively on Sikh extremism. Speaking at the [[Fraser Institute]] in 2007, she reported that she still received death threats over her coverage of the 1985 Air India bombing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Canadian_journalist_hits_out_at_Sikh_extremism/articleshow/2164926.cms|title=Canadian journalist hits out at Sikh extremism|date=1 July 2007|publisher=The Times of India|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref>

In February 2008, [[BBC Radio 4]] reported that the Chief of the Punjab Police, NPS Aulakh, alleged that militant groups were receiving money from the British Sikh community.
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7263211.stm|title=Sikh separatists 'funded from UK'|date=4 March 2008|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
The same report included statements that although the Sikh militant groups were poorly equipped and staffed, intelligence reports and interrogations indicated that Babbar Khalsa was sending its recruits to the same [[terrorist training camp]]s in [[Pakistan]] used by [[Al Qaeda]].
<ref name="2008FebFileon4">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/26_02_08_fo4_sikh.pdf|title=TRANSCRIPT OF “FILE ON 4”- ‘SIKH GROUPS’|last=Bassey|first=Amardeep|date=26 February 2008|publisher=BBC News|page=20|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

A June 2008 article by Vicky Nanjappa, writing for Rediff.com, stated that a report by India's [[Intelligence Bureau]] indicated that Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] organization was "desperately trying to revive Sikh" militant activity in India.
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/10vicky.htm|title=200 Pak organisations raise funds for terror: IB|last=Nanjappa|first=Vicky|date=10 June 2008|publisher=Rediff.com|language=Englilsh|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

In 2008, a CBC report stated that "a disturbing brand of extremist politics has surfaced" at some of the [[Vaisakhi]] parades in Canada,<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> and The Trumpet agreed with the CBC assessment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=3980.2206.0.0|title=Sikh Terrorism Enters Politics in Canada|last=Morley|first=Robert|publisher=The Trumpet|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref>
Two leading Canadian Sikh politicians refused to attend the parade in [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], saying it was a glorification of terrorism.<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/>

In 2008, Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]], Prime Minister of India, expressed his concern that there might be a resurgence of Sikh extremism.
<ref name="RNWSikhExt" />
<ref name="KBresurgent">{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2be0865c-29ba-4dab-9bcc-d945e75007c1|title=Sikh separatist threat on rise in Canada: Indian PM warns of resurgent threat in Canada|last=Bolan|first=Kim|date=11 March 2008|publisher=Vancouver Sun|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

On Sunday, 24 May 2009, armed Sikh men attacked the Gurdwara Nanaksar, the [[Ravidas]] temple in [[Rudolfsheim]] [[Vienna]].
<ref name="turbanedsikhs">{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/its-dera-sach-khand-versus-turbaned-sikhs-in-vienna/93288-2-7.html|title=It's Dera Sachkhand versus turbaned Sikhs in Vienna|first=no name given|date=24 May 2009|publisher=in.com|accessdate=2009-06-15}}</ref><ref name="sikhsfight">{{cite web|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2009/05/24/Sikhs_fight_one_another_at_temple_in_Vienna_a/ |title=Sikhs fight one another at temple in Vienna - Worldnews.com |publisher=Article.wn.com |date=2009-05-24 |accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref name="sikhsclash">{{cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/45973902.html|title=Sikhs clash at Vienna temple|last=Veronika Oleksyn|first=Veronika Oleksyn|date=25 May 2009|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|accessdate=2009-06-15}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> They left 16 injured, including visiting [[Dera Sach Khand]] head Nirajnan Das,<ref name="Rama Nand funeral">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Dera-leaders-cremation-today/articleshow/4615567.cms|title=Lakhs attend state funeral for Sant Ramanand|last=Singh|first=I P|date=5 June 2009|publisher=The Times of India|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref> 68, and another leader, [[Rama Nand]],<ref name="Rama Nand funeral" /> 57, dead.
The attack triggered protests and rioting across northern India resulting in at least one death.<ref name=bbcaustria>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8066005.stm|title=Preacher dies after Vienna clash|date=25 May 2009|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref name=nytaustria>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/world/asia/26india.html?_r=1%02scp=2%02sq=sikhs%02st=cse|title=Killing of Sikh Leader Sets Off Riots in India|last=POLGREEN|first=LYDIA|date=25 May 2009|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref name=timesonlineaustria>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6359288.ece|title=Riots after Sikh guru Sant Rama Nand shot dead in Vienna |date=25 May 2009 |publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-05-31 | location=London | first=Jeremy | last=Page}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30933094/|title=Brawl in Austrian Sikh temple spurs India riots: Investigators believe sermon sparked attack that left preacher dead|first=Associated Press|date=25 May 2009|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=2009-06-01}}</ref>
There were claims and denials of responsibility in the name of the [[Khalistan Zindabad Force]],<ref name=diepresse>{{cite news|url=http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/oesterreich/483019/index.do?_vl_backlink=/home/panorama/oesterreich/index.do|title=Sikh: Alarm vor Tag der offenen Tür in Wien (loosely "Sikh: Alarm before "Open Day" in Vienna)|first=Die Presse|date=2009-05-28|publisher=Die Presse|language=German (bit of Vienna dialect)|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref><ref name="ATemails">{{cite news|url=http://austriantimes.at/index.php?id=13609|title=KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre|date=2009-05-29|publisher=Austriantimes.at|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref name="KZFdenial">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090529/punjab.htm#6|title=KZF denies involvement in attack |first=Sanjeev Singh Bariana|date=28 May 2009|publisher=The Tribune|accessdate=2009-05-31|quote=People are being misled in the name of the KZF. The incident has hurt the entire Sant Ravidass brotherhood. The KZF begs pardon from the entire Sikh panth and also from the Sant Ravidass brotherhood.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akashradio.com/|title=KZF claims Indian agencies used its letterhead In its third e-mail sent to Akash Radio yesterday 29th 9 May|date=30 May 2009|publisher=Akash Radio|accessdate=2009-06-02|note=This source will age out rapidly, items are purged after a few days.}}</ref> and suspicions that the attack might have been made by members of a rival sect.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.austriantimes.at/index.php?id=13636|title=Killed Sikh guru laid out in Vienna tomorrow|last=Hochwarter|first=Thomas|date=01. 06. 09|publisher=austriantimes.at|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/sathnam_sanghera/article6407907.ece?openComment=true|title=Is Sikhism succumbing to fundamentalism? The fatal shooting at a Sikh temple in Austria shows up an ugly schism in a religion built on monotheism and equality|last=Sanghera |first=Sathnam|date=2 June 2009|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-06-09 | location=London}}</ref>

On 24 September 2009, Centralchronical.com carried a report attributed to [[United News of India]] that police arrested two Babbar Khalsa "militants" earlier in the day. The article described the arrests as a "major breakthrough in the assassination case of Rulda Singh, president of the Punjab Rashtriya Sikh Sangat who was shot at and seriously injured by two unidentified persons at his residence near New Grain market on 29 July."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=15398|title=Punjab Police arrest two Babbar Khalsa terrorists|author=[[United News of India]]|date=24 September 2009|publisher=centralchronicle.com|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref>

29 September 2009, Rajinder Soomel was murdered on Cambie Street in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/09/30/bc-vancouver-cambie-street-shooting.html|title=Slain man linked to gangs: Vancouver police|date=30 September 2009|publisher=[[CBC.CA]]|accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref> The murder renewed fears of gang violence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2009/10/01/11225156-sun.html|title=More shootings spark fears of gang war|last=KIELTYKA|first=MATT|date=Friday, 2 October 2009|publisher=Sun Media Corporation|accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref> Soomel had been released on parole shortly before his murder. In March, 2008, Soomel had been sentenced to 4 years in prison after confessing he had tried to hire an undercover police officer to kill Hardip Uppal. Uppal had identified Ravinder Soomel, younger brother of the victim, as one of 2 assassins who killed Tara Singh Hayer in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/killed+Cambie+Street+recently+paroled+after+murder+plot+conviction/2052264/story.html|title=Man killed on Cambie Street recently paroled after murder plot conviction|last=BOLAN|first=KIM|date=30 September 2009|publisher=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vancouverite.com/2009/10/01/family-devastated-over-execution-murder-of-raj-soomel/|title=Soomel’s 30-year-old widow left her house for the first time to make funeral arrangements|last=Jiwa|first=Salim|date=1 October 2009|publisher=[[The Vancourverite]]|accessdate=2009-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ferguson |first=Dan |url=http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/63105272.html |title=Surrey Leader - Surrey man murdered in Vancouver street |publisher=Bclocalnews.com |date= |accessdate=2009-10-03}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

== Militant Organizations==
===Pre-1947===
Sikh involvement in militant organisations have existed Pre-1947 (before Indian Independence), and after 1947. The goal of some pre-1947 organisations being to gain [[Indian Independence]] from the British{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

====[[Ghadar Party]]====
A militant extremist organisation<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> set up overseas to drive the British out of India. Its members were mostly from the Sikh community and were dubbed "Sikh extremists".<ref name="ref name=books.google.co.uk">ref name="books.google.co.uk"/</ref> by the British authorities at that time.<ref name="ref name=books.google.co.uk"/>

====Babbar Akali movement====
The [[Babbar Akali movement]], which emerged in the wake of the [[Akali Movement]], and was an underground terrorist movement established in the [[Jalandhar Doab]] in 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org.in/new/india-struggle-for-freedom.php|title=India's Struggle for Freedom : Role of Associated Movements|publisher=All India Congress Committee - AICC|accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> Members fought pitched battles with police and committed acts of violence. Many were killed in police encounters but out of the 67 taken alive "5 were sentenced to death, 11 to transportation for life and 38 to various terms of imprison­ment".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org.in/new/india-struggle-for-freedom.php|title=India's Struggle for Freedom : Role of Associated Movements|publisher=All India Congress Committee - AICC|accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref>

====[[Indian National Army]]====
The [[Azad Hind Fauj]] ([[Indian National Army]]<ref name="the_rise_and_fall_of_british_empire">{{Cite book
| last1 = James
| first1 = Lawrence R.
| title = The rise and fall of the British Empire
| year = 1997
| publisher = St. Martin's Griffin
| location = New York
| isbn = 978-0-312-16985-5
| page = 502
}}</ref><ref name="INA69">{{cite book|last= Ghosh|first=Kalyan Kumar|title=The Indian National Army: second front of the Indian independence movement|publisher=Meenakshi Prakashan|year=1969|url=http://books.google.com/?id=viVIAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Indian+National+Army&dq=The+Indian+National+Army|accessdate=24 September 2009}}</ref>) was formed by [[Mohan Singh Deb]] (who was described as an extremist)<ref>Select documents on Indian National ArmyBy Tilak Raj Sareen ISBN: xxii+390 Yr. of Pub.1988 Page 4 described Mohan Singh as an Extremist</ref> to free India from British rule, and fought in [[Southeast Asia]], with support from Japan, during [[World War II]].

===Post-1947===
A 2007 [[Australia]]n research report<ref name="RRTresponse" /> cited difficulties in researching both violent and non-violent activities of the various (perhaps 22, in 1987) Sikh separatist groups. Names of groups are used interchangeably in reports, intentionally or through error. Bias and sensationalism in government and media reports reduce their reliability.<ref name="RRTresponse"/> The illegal nature of the organizations also presents challenges.<ref name="RRTresponse">{{cite web|url=http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/docs/research/IND/rr/IND32623.pdf|title=Refugee Review Tribunal Australia: RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE|date=27 November 2007|publisher=Refugee Review Tribunal - Australia|accessdate=2009-05-30}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
[[Institute for Conflict Management]], on its [[South Asia Terrorism Portal]], alleged that Pakistan's ISI was making "serious attempts" to reinvigorate terrorism in India, and that "terror groups" were working together to accomplish that goal.<ref name=SATPISYF>{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/punjab/terrorist_outfits/ISYF.htm|title=International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) [[South Asia Terrorism Portal]] article|first=none given|date=undated|publisher=[[The Institute for Conflict Management]]|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

====Babbar Khalsa====
[[Babbar Khalsa]] has been listed as a terrorist organization in the
European Union,<ref name="EU list of terrorist groups">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_144/l_14420050608en00540058.pdf|title=COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2005/427/CFSP of 6 June 2005 updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Common Position 2005/220/CFSP |date=6 June 2005|publisher=European Union|page=5|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
Canada,<ref name="psepc.gc.ca">{{cite web|url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp#bkbki13|title=Currently listed entities (terrorist organizations-ed)|publisher=Public Safety Canada|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
India,<ref name="cbcca-extremism" />
UK,<ref name="UKBKlisting">{{cite web|url=http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-groups|title=Proscribed terrorist groups|publisher=UK Office for Security and Counter Terrorism|accessdate=2009-05-24}}</ref>
and the United States.<ref name="cbcca-extremism">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/index.html|title=Sikh politics in Canada. Symbols and suits. Sikh extremism enters mainstream Canadian politics|last=Milewski|first=Terry|date=28 June 2007|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
A Canadian Sikh, [[Ajaib Singh Bagri]], co-founder of Babbar Khalsa, said in a 1984 speech, after Hindu Mobs had murdered thousands of Sikhs in Delhi <ref>[http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_082205a.html 1984 Sikh Massacres: Victory to the Mob By KHUSHWANT SINGH Outlook, Aug. 22, 2005 - The Nanavati report is utter garbage. All the killers are roaming freely.]</ref> that "Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest."<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/>

The United States has designated the Babbar Khalsa responsible for the bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]] on 27 June 2002.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20123.pdf|title=Appendix F: Countering Terrorism on the Economic Front|publisher=US Department of State|page=2|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
According to [[Terry Milewski]], CBC News, Canadian courts have further established that [[Talwinder Singh Parmar]], a founder of [[Babbar Khalsa]], was the mastermind of the Air India bombings.
Milewski further reported that some parade floats portray Parmar as a "shaheed" (martyr).<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/>

Babbar Khalsa was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" />

====[[Bhindranwale Tigers Force of Khalistan]]====
Also known variously as Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan and Bhindranwale Tiger Force, this group appears to have been formed in 1984 by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. After the founder's death, the BTF (or BTFK) seems to have disbanded or integrated into other organizations.<ref name="fightingbook">{{cite book|last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley|title=Fighting for Faith and Nation|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|page=328|date=1 November 1996|series=Series in Contemporary Ethnography|isbn=978-0812215922|url=http://books.google.com/?id=8QufTc6fAocC|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref>
The BTF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext">{{cite book|title=Terrorism in Context|editor=Martha Crenshaw |publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press|page=656|date=1 January 1995|isbn=978-0271010151|url=http://books.google.com/?id=9nFyZaZGthgC|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref>

====[[International Sikh Youth Federation]]====
[[Steve Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton|Lord Bassam of Brighton]], then [[Home Office]] minister, stated that ISYF members working from the UK had committed "assassinations, bombings and kidnappings" and were a "threat to national security."<ref name="ISYFlink" />
The ISYF is listed in the UK as a "Proscribed Terrorist Group".<ref name="UKBKlisting" />
It was also added to the [[US Treasury Department]] terrorism list on 27 June 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/terror/terror.pdf|title=What You Need To Know About U.S. Sanctions|publisher=U.S. Department of Treasury|accessdate=2009-05-24}}</ref>
There are allegations that the ISYF has long been supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence organization.<ref name=SATPISYF />

[[Andrew Gilligan]], reporting for [[The London Evening Standard]], stated that the [[Sikh Federation (UK)]] is the "successor" of the ISYF, and that its executive committee, objectives, and senior members... are largely the same.<ref name="ISYFlink">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-mayor/article-23479477-details/Ken%27s+adviser+is+linked+to+terror+group/article.do|title=Ken's adviser is linked to terror group|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|date=2008-04-21 |publisher=The London Evening Standard|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>
<ref name="martyrboard">{{cite news|url=http://www.esadvertising.co.uk/media/images/mayor169_5330.pdf|title=Sikh civil servant who backs ‘martyr’ is now on TfL board|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|date=21 April 2008|publisher=Evening Standard|accessdate=2009-05-31}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
The Vancouver Sun reported in February 2008 that [[Dabinderjit Singh]] was campaigning to have both the Babbar Khalsa and International Sikh Youth Federation de-listed as terrorist organizations.<ref name="delistingeffort">{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=17e39f37-c322-40a7-8b13-e37c29e40881|title=Sikh leader solicits support|last=Bolan|first=Kim|date=18 February 2008|publisher=The Vancouver Sun|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>

It also stated of Public Safety Minister [[Stockwell Day]] that "he has not been approached by anyone lobbying to delist the banned groups". Day is also quoted as saying "The decision to list organizations such as Babbar Khalsa, Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code is intended to protect Canada and Canadians from terrorism"<ref name="delistingeffort"/>

====[[Khalistan Commando Force]]====
The KCF was formed in 1986.<ref name="encycloextreme">{{cite book|last=Atkins|first=Stephen E.|title=Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|page=404|year=2004|edition=illustrated|isbn=0313324859, 9780313324857|url=http://books.google.com/?id=b8k4rEPvq_8C&dq=chaheru+labh|accessdate=26 June 2009}}</ref>
According to the US State Department,<ref name="KCFconvict" /> and the Assistant Inspector General of the Punjab Police Intelligence Division,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2008/vol2/html/101353.htm|title=Law Enforcement Cases: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs|date=March 2008|publisher=US Department of State|accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref> the KCF was responsible for the deaths of thousands in India, including the 1995 assassination of [[Beant Singh (chief minister)|Chief Minister Beant Singh]].<ref name="KCFconvict" />
The KCF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" />

====[[Khalistan Liberation Force]]====
The KLF was formed in 1986, and was believed responsible for several bombings of civilian targets in India during the 1980s and 1990s, sometimes in conjunction with Islamist [[Kashmir]] separatists.
<ref name="1995patterns">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/terror_95/terasi.htm#India|title=1995 Patterns of Global Terrorism|last=Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism|date=April 1996|publisher=FAS.ORG|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref>
<ref name="CNN96may22">[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9605/22/india.bomb/index.html "Bus explosion in India kills at least 14"], [[CNN]], 22 May 1996</ref>
<ref name="CNN96may21">[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9604/21/india.bomb/index.html "Fatal bomb meant to disrupt Kashmiri elections"], CNN, 21 Apr 1996</ref>
The Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) is reputed to have been a wing of, or possibly associated with, or possibly a breakaway group from, the KLF.<ref name="RRTresponse" />
The KLF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" />

====[[Khalistan Zindabad Force]]====
The KZF is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU.<ref name="EU list of terrorist groups" />

==See also==

* [[Ghadar Party]]
* [[Indian Independence Movement]]
* [[Bhindranwale]]
* [[Extremist Groups]]
* [[Fanaticism]]
* [[Human rights in Punjab, India]]
* [[Religious terrorism]]
* [[Religious violence]]
* [[Terrorism in India]]
* [[Christian terrorism]]
* [[Jewish religious terrorism]]
* [[Religious war]]
*[[Operation Blue Star]]
*[[Khalistan]]
*[[1991 Punjab killings]]
*[[1987 Punjab killings]]
*[[List of Victims of Terrorism in Indian Punjab]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{cite book|last=Juergensmeyer|first=Mark|publisher=University of California Press|page=319|year=2003|edition=3|chapter=The Sword of Sikhism|isbn=9780520240117|url=http://books.google.com/?id=lpb1mbaHjGQC&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=Kanwarjit+Singh+Sultanwind+death|accessdate=18 June 2009|title=Terror in the mind of God}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd|title=University of Maryland Global Terrorism Database|publisher=University of Maryland|accessdate=2010-05-}}05

{{Criticism of religion}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sikh Extremism}}
[[Category:Religious violence in India]]
[[Category:Sikh politics]]
[[Category:Religious fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Indian independence movement]]

Latest revision as of 07:09, 2 March 2023