Was attack on Brar just publicity stunt?

Was attack on Brar just publicity stunt?

The assault on Lt Gen K S Brar by four bearded men in central London could be a last-ditch effort to get the spotlight on the Khalistan movement, rather than a serious attack on the life of ‘Operation Blue Star’ commander.

On Sunday night, the 78-year-old retired Army officer and his wife were walking towards his hotel, when four men “with long beards” attacked him with knives and left him bleeding.

According to observers, the incident seemed more like a publicity stunt than a serious attempt on his life. It rather appears to be a calling card that the Khalistan groups were still alive and able to conduct operations in a highly-secure place like Central London.

Brar was the commanding officer of ‘Operation Blue Star’ which aimed at flushing out Khalistan terrorists from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar in 1984.

Describing the incident, Brar said his wife was first pushed aside by one of the assailants, while the rest pounced on him with “knives or kirpan”.

“I gathered abnormal strength to fight them. I did not leave them easily. But I couldn’t figure out what they were speaking,” Brar told a television channel in London. His wife’s screams drew the attention of the passersby which forced the assailants to flee.

He was rushed to the hospital and was operated for knife injuries on his neck. The Indian High Commission’s military attache also went to the hospital.

He asserted that the assault was an assassination attempt on him by Khalistan groups. “There are lots of hate messages on the net, there are online threats against me,” said Brar.

The assailants were described as “wearing dark clothing and long black jackets” and “all had long beards”.No arrests have been made.

There is however consternation that Brar, who is under Z plus security, did not have proper security cover while travelling to London.

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The New Indian Express
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