Before the assault: The covert planning of Operation Blue Star

The book by an intelligence officer ( Kaoboys of R&AW) was published in 2007; it stated that 2 officers of intelligence from the UK visited the Golden Temple. An independent researcher journalist from the UK wrote an article and concluded, based on the declassified letters that the then PM of the UK had sent a top-tier commando force official to advise on expulsion of sikh militants. He posted the information on his blog on 13 January 2014. Obviously, the UK leaders of sikh community ( including some members of the House of Commons ) objected to this kind of help and the official role. The then PM of the UK ordered an inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary. Some documents were already destroyed as part of a review by the Ministry of Defence. It confirmed the ' ground recce'; it was also suggested to India that a military operation should be used as a last resort. The element of surprise and use of helicopter-borne forces might reduce casualties, and it would be a swift operation, it was proposed. Of course, we all know that ultimately the Operation Blue Star was a ground assault.


The British political and commercial interests could also be affected. Indira ji's letter to the British PM was published in this case, but the British PM's letter was not published by the UK government.

Though nothing is stated by the author on the advantage ( economic and diplomatic ) taken by Western countries, in 1986 indian government bought 21 Westland helicopters for 65 million pounds from Britain. (approximately 119 cr rupees then 1788 crore today)

It is noted that official contracts worth 5 billion pounds were also at risk.

Heliborne operation was not approved by the PM; it could have caused many casualties.

In the mid 1982 sidhu was asked whether he could visit Chowk Mehta complex to get a detailed map. The author sensed that he could be recognised and it could alert Bhindranwale about the plan.

Later, an intelligence officer was asked to visit as a reporter, but he was noticed and forced to leave. After the incident, 2 of Bhindranwale's associates were arrested, and he moved into the Guru Nanak Niwas. The act, the author thought, was probably to alert Bhindranwale that Chowk Mehta was not safe.

The author met the senior IPS officer involved in the plan around 2019 again; he was in his early nineties. Before the planning of the operation, he had collected the necessary detailed information about Bhindranwale's movement and routine. The plan of heliborne commandos was prepared carefully by the force he led. The presentation was given to the PM, and the possibility of 20% of casualties among civilians present and the commandos was predicted; the PM thought that she could not afford such a large loss of lives. Many think capturing Bhindranwale was not a difficult task, as he had a fixed routine.