UK foreign secretary confirms India Today story on Operation Sundown
Sandeep Unnithan New Delhi, February 5, 2014 | UPDATED 14:02 IST
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on Tuesday confirmed Britain had indeed assisted in an Indian operation that was planned before Bluestar. "The nature of the UK's assistance was purely advisory, limited and provided to the Indian government at an early stage," Hague told Parliament on Tuesday. "It had limited impact on the tragic events that unfolded at the temple three months later," he said.
Hague's statement effectively confirms an India Today investigation "The Secret Operation before Bluestar" on January 31, 2014, which revealed Operation Sundown. This operation, to be carried out by the R&AW's "Special Group" (SG) commandos, was a combined ground and air assault meant to capture radical preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The initial objective of assaulting the Guru Nanak Niwas where Bhindranwale lived in, just outside the temple complex, was modified to include his new lodging, above the old langar building in the southern part of the complex.
India Today impact: UK admits role in Bluestar, says it was limited and advisory
Labour Party MP Tom Watson on Saturday said he wanted "an urgent statement" in the House of Commons on Monday on an India Today magazine on the role of British special forces in Operation Sundown.
Also read: The untold story before Operation Bluestar
Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood's June 3 report to UK Prime Minister outlines stunning new details of the covert operation where the SG planned to capture Bhindranwale. The Cabinet Secretary's report reveals, for instance, that it was the SAS which had recommended a heli-borne insertion of Special Group commandos.
'The UK military adviser (a colonel in the UK's Special Air Service or SAS) was in India between 8-17 February, including a ground recce, with the Indian Special Group, of the temple complex…' the report mentions that the purpose of the British officer's visit as being to advise the SG who had already been working up for action in the temple complex, including tactics and techniques.
Also read:Indira Gandhi considered secret commando raid before Operation Bluestar
The UK officers report to his authorities stated that the main difference between the original Indian plan and his advise was that the original plan was based on obtaining a foothold within the temple and fighting through in orthodox paramilitary style. With a view to reducing casualties, the UK military adviser recommended assaulting all objectives simultaneously, thereby assuring surprise and momentum. The advice given to the Indian authorities identified sufficient helicopters, and the capability to insert troops by helicopter, as critical to this approach. The UK advise also focused on command and control arrangements and night time coordination with Indian paramilitary with the Special Group.
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