The Bhindranwale Tiger Force (BTF), known also as the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK), is an illegal Sikh militant group fighting for an independent Sikh homeland (AI Aug. 1991, 172; AFP 25 Nov. 1993; Documentation-Réfugiés 23 Nov.-6 Dec. 1993, 8). Based in the state of Punjab, India, the BTF is described as one of the major Sikh militant groups and reportedly the strongest militant group in the Amritsar-Tarn Taran area (AFP 25 Nov. 1993; India Today 31 Mar. 1993, 56).

According to a professor in anthroplogy at University of Maine in Orono with expertise on Sikh militant groups in Punjab, the BTF was founded in 1984 by Gurbachan Singh Manochal, who was also head of the original Panthic Committee (30 Dec. 1994). Manochal broke away from the original Panthic Committee to continue his independent command of the BTF after his leadership of the Panthic was challenged in 1988 (ibid.). Manochal also maintained his own Panthic Committee for a while but was killed in 1991 or 1992 (ibid.).

The professor in anthropology indicated that membership of the BTF numbered in the hundreds at one point, and the BTF was considered among the most dangerous of the guerilla forces (30 Dec. 1994). The professor further indicated that "relations" of suspected members were targeted by police and paramiliatry personnel and much of the original force has been decimated (ibid.). According to the professor, there are probably members of the BTF scattered all over, but no one knows how many are left or whether there is a clear leader at this point (ibid.). The professor was unable to comment on the treatment of members of the BTF by the authorities upon their return to India, but noted that since the BTF has been a major target of counter-terrorism efforts, she would expect the reception of any known member to be "drastic" (ibid.).

For further information on the BTF, including its activities and its leaders, please refer to the attached documents.

Please note that Facts on File reported on 16 September 1993 that Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was killed by the police on 1 March 1993, and not in 1991 nor 1992. Also, according to the attached 30 March 1993 UPI report, Balwinder Singh was appointed as BTF chief after Manochahal's death.

For additional information on militant groups in Punjab, please consult the Question and Answer Series paper, India: Punjab's Human Rights Update (January 1994), available at your Regional Documentation Centre.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 25 November 1993. "Top Sikh rebel Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)

Professor of anthropology, University of Maine, Orono. 30 December 1994. Letter sent to the DIRB on 12 January 1995.

Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 23 November-6 December 1993. No. 230. "Inde."

Facts on File. 16 September 1993. "News in Brief." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Watch. August 1991. Human Rights in India: Punjab in Crisis. New York: Human Rights Watch.

India Today [Delhi]. 31 March 1993. Kanwar Sandhu. "How the trap Was Laid."

United Press International (UPI). 30 March 1993. BC Cycle. "Rebel Leader Killed as Police Crack Down on Militancy." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 25 November 1993. "Top Sikh rebel Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 27 December 1991. "Nine Die in Sikh Violence in Punjab." (NEXIS)

Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 23 November-6 December 1993. No. 230. "Inde," p. 8.

Facts on File. 16 September 1993. "News in Brief." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Watch/ASia and Physicians for Human Rights. May 1994. Dead Silence: The Legacy of Human Rights Abuses in Punjab. New York: Human Rights Watch, pp. 91-94.

. August 1991. Human Rights in India: Punjab in Crisis. New York: Human Rights Watch, pp. 170-75, 190-93, 204.

India Today [Delhi]. 31 March 1993. Kanwar Sandhu. "How the Trap Was Laid," pp. 56-57.

Professor of anthropology, University of Maine, Orono. 30 December 1994. Letter sent to the DIRB on 12 January 1995.

Reuters. 25 November 1993. BC Cycle. "Indian Police Kill Most-Wanted Sikh Militant." (NEXIS)

_____. 30 March 1993. BC Cycle. "Sikh Militants Killed by Indian Police." (NEXIS)

_____. 15 October 1991. BC Cycle. Jawed Naqvi. "India Asks European Countries for Intelligence on Militants." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 30 March 1993. BC Cycle. "Rebel Leader Killed as Police Crack Down on Militancy." (NEXIS)

_____. 28 February 1993. BC Cycle. Ravi Sharma. "Sikh leader Killed in India." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 October 1991. BC Cycle. "India Rejects Kidnappers' Demands for Diplomat's Release." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 9 May 1991. "Major News Items in Leading Indian Newspapers." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 February 1991. "Top Sikh Militant Killed in Punjab, India." (NEXIS)