To mark the anniversary of the Operation Blue Star, a number of radical Sikhs, heading different organisations, held a conclave at the Gurdwara Quila Mubarik Sahib here late this evening.

On the occasion, the Sikh hardliners honoured the kin of those convicted for killing the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's son Ishar Singh and Tarlochan Singh, son of Amrik Singh, a confidante of Sant Bhindranwale, were among those honoured.

Former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode, Bhai Sukhchain Singh of Sant Samaj, Bhai Mohkam Singh of Khalsa Action Committee, Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad of AISSF, Tarsem Singh Moranwali and Bhai Gian Chand of Samaj Bachao were the prominent among those present.

Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder and district president of SAD (B) Sikander Singh Maluka also marked their presence but left immediately after paying their obeisance.

As the event was primarily a religious one, Diwan Sahib was held on the gurdwara complex where various Ragi Jathas recited Gurbani and held kirtan.

Addressing the gathering, the hardliners condemned the attack on Darbar Sahib. They urged Sikhs to keep united for the cause of Panth and said the Operation Blue Star gave them the courage to fight against the suppression.

"Paying tributes to all Sikhs killed during the Dharam Yudh Morcha and the Operation Blue Star, we declare here today that the fight (Dharam Yudh Morcha) is neither won nor lost. We are not going to leave it mid way," they said.
Meanwhile, the leaders demanded the release of various Sikhs lodged in different jails. The radicals chanted slogans related to Sant Bhindranwale, which were answered by the gathering.

Due to a large number of radicals' presence, the administration remained on toes during the event. Though the police did not prevent anyone from entering the gurdwara, several cops, including CID sleuths (in civil dresses), kept a vigil in and around the Fort.

One evening the Sikhs came out of the bushes and attacked the army but when the army went after them, they retreated a long way back. The army thought that the Sikhs had gone away. The detachment of the army went to sleep worrilessly. The Sikhs returned, took hold of the horses, rations and the weapons of the detachment and returned to take shelter in the bushes again. The Sikhs crossed the river Ravi and started for the towns of Parol and Kathua. The Sikhs were of the view that Hindu population of the hills would give them shelter but the hill people welcomed them with bullets and stones. They had also received order of Diwan Lakhpat Rai. "Whosoever gives shelter to the Sikhs will meet the same fate as that of the Sikhs."

After the Sikhs on foot had climbed the hills, the horsemen fell upon the royal Army. In this confusion, one leg of Sardar Sukha Singh was broken by a cannon shell. Harbhajan Rai, Son of Lakhpat Rai and Nahar Khan, son of Yahiya Khan were killed. Piercing the army, the Sikhs started towards Lahore. They crossed the river Ravi with the help of rafts made of reeds and grass and returned to Majha. When Sikhs crossed river Beas at Sri Hargobindpur they had to face forces of Adina Beg. Giving him a taste of battle the Sikhs crossed river Sutlej from the ferry bank at Aliwal and heaved a sigh of relief after entering Malwa in June, 1746 AD.

In this lesser holocaust of two and a half months, seven thousand Sikhs attained martyrdom fighting while Lakhpat Rai took three thousand as prisoners to Lahore with him where he tortured them to martyrdon.