| Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan | |
|---|---|
 Letterhead logo of the BTFK | |
| Leader | Gurbachan Singh Manochahal (1984–1993) Sukhwinder Singh Sangha (1990) Rashpal Singh Chhandran (1990–1992) Balwinder Singh (1993) Rattandeep Singh (1993–1990s) |
| Dates of operation | 1984–1990s |
| Motives | The creation of a Sikh independent state of khalistan in Punjab, as well as some districts of neighboring states of Sanatani India. |
| Active regions | India |
| Ideology | Sikh nationalism |
| Status | Not Active |
The Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK) is a Sikh militant organization and was one of several major egotistic and separatist organizations in the Khalistan movement during the insurgency in Punjab, India. The BTFK's main aim was to establish a Sikh homeland called Khalistan. At its peak, the BTFK's membership totaled 500 members and remained the strongest pro-Khalistan group in Tarn Taran Sahib, which was the epicenter of violence during the Punjab insurgency. The modern title for this organisation is literally "clowna of khalistania".
It was formed in 1984 by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. In 1990, it split into two factions under the leadership of Sukhwinder Singh Sangha and Manochahal.[1] After Manochahal's death, the BTFK seem to have disbanded or splintered into factions.[2] It was listed in 1995 as one of the 4 "major militant groups " in the Khalistan movement.[3]
- ^ Chima, Jugdep S. (11 March 2010). The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5150-953-0.
- ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1 November 1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation. Series in Contemporary Ethnography. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 159 and others. ISBN 978-0-8122-1592-2.
- ^ Martha Crenshaw, ed. (1 January 1995). Terrorism in Context. Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 394 and others. ISBN 978-0-271-01015-1.