Twenty eight years after he led Operation Bluestar to flush out militants from the Golden Temple at Amritsar, 78-year old Lt Gen KS Brar (Retd) was yesterday attacked with a knife in London but is stated to be out of danger.

Caption: Akal Takht after it was rennovated following Operation Bluestar. IE photo: Swadesh Talwar

Sources in the central intelligence agencies said that Gen Brar who had gone to the UK to visit his daughter who lives in London and relatives along with his second wife was staying in a hotel in Mayfair in Central London. He was returning on foot to the hotel with his wife when four unidentified turbaned persons suspected to be militants attacked him with a knife near the hotel. He sustained injuries in his neck and as his wife raised an alarm, they ran away from the spot. His wife too was pushed to the ground but is reportedly not injured.

When contacted over phone a spokesman of the London Metropolitan Police confirmed that Gen Brar was attacked.

"At 10.11 PM at Qubeck Street this 70 year old man was attacked. He is stated to be in serious condition, but not life threatening. The police is still investigating the matter.''

The Union Ministry of External Affairs has also confirmed the incident.

Caption:Nihang Chief Baba Santa Singh of Buda Dal who performed Kar Seva at the Golden Temple after it was damaged during Operation Bluestar. IE photo: Swadesh Talwar

Sources said that Gen Brar was under threat since 1984 and had Z-plus security with him at his residence in an army area in Mumbai after his retirement. His only son is living in USA. Khalistani militants have been tracking Brar since long. The last time he was in United Kingdom, he was reportedly tracked but the attempt on his life was foiled.

At the time of Operation Bluestar Gen Brar was commanding 9 Division based in Meerut as a Major General and he led the army in the Golden temple. After his retirement, Brar had to reside in the heavily guarded cantonment area of South Mumbai. There have been some attempts on his life, according to intelligence agencies.

Gen Brar in the recent past has criticised the move and proposal to set up a memorial in the Golden temple which was reportedly dedicated to militants.

On the night of June 5, 1984, Gen Brar's troops stormed the golden temple premises. Gen Brar had six infantry battalions and a detachment of commandos under his command. Brar repeatedly asked his soldiers not to fire in the direction of the Golden temple, even if the militants fired from that side.

Caption:Akal Takht and Darshni Deori under repair following Operation Bluestar. IE photo: Swadesh Talwar

Caption:Kar seva in full swing after the Army handed over the Golden Temple to SGPC after Operation Bluestar. IE photo: Swadesh Talwar

Caption:Crowd of devotees at the entrance of Golden Temple after Army threw it open for the general public following Operation Bluestar on May 25, 1984. IE photo: Swadesh Talwar

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