Toofan Singh

Jugraj Singh (1971 – 8 April 1990), better known as Toofan Singh, was a militant member of the Khalistan Liberation Force who was born in 1971 in Sri Hargobindpur, Punjab, India. According to police records, he was allegedly involved in 150 killings. He was killed in an encounter with police on April 8, 1990.

Biography
Born in 1971 as Jugraj Singh in Cheema village of Punjab. He had 5 sisters and was the only son of his parents. He took amrit at 6 and would regularly read Gurbani and do Simran. He would read about Sikh history commonly and was known for being soft-spoken and well mannered.

Militancy
In 1984, he was emotionally affected by the news of Operation Blue Star. He begin to believe that he has to do something about the alleged atrocities against Sikhs. In his younger days, he spent some days in the Nabha Jail. In the jail, he met with Manbir Singh Chaheru and Baldev Singh. Baldev Singh told Jugraj that he should avoid getting into these fights since he is the only son of his family, however, Jugraj would not change his path.

In 1987 Toofan Singh broke out of Hoshiarpur Jail, and came into contact with Avtar Singh Brahma the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force and he would fight under him. Toofan Singh's name first appeared in the complaint registered to Punjab Armed Police Headquarters concerning the murder of police officer Gobind Ram as the major perpetrator. On one hand Singh had support from Sikh society, and on other hand police forces would continue trailing him.

In 1988 Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala took over KLF. He made Toofan Singh Lieutenant General of KLF. He would later rise to Deputy Chief of KLF.

Toofan Singh was noted to have provided protection to the villagers from attacks and extortion by criminal gangs, and the police. Toofan Singh once saved 3 kidnapped Hindus of Cheema and returned a stolen scooter, tape recorder, and other items to a doctor near Dhariwal. In another case Toofan Singh returned 32000 rupees robbed of one Shiv Singh in Cheema Kudhhi.

Explosion
In a meeting with top KLF leaders, including Budhsinghwala and Navroop Singh, in Sri Hargobindpur Toofan Singh took responsibility for an explosion at a liquor store in Batala. 15 people were killed, 50 were injured, 4 shops were blown up, and 1 van was blown up in the explosion.

Attacks on police
At Sri Hargobindpur Toofan Singh and 5 others attacked a police party on November 1, 1988. In the attack 1 Sergeant was wounded, and 1 Constable was also wounded.

In December 1988, near Sri Hargobindpur, Toofan Singh and others attack SHO (Station House Officer) Swaran Singh and officers with him. No one was hurt in the attack.

On November 16, 1989, Toofan Singh, Sukhdev Singh Babbar, and other Kharkus of BKI and KLF claimed responsibility for killing a Congress Politician's gunman, a police sergeant, near Batala for killing Babbar Khalsa member Gurnam Singh in a false encounter.

On November 16, 1989, Toofan Singh, Sukhdev Singh Babbar, and other Kharkus of BKI and KLF claimed responsibility for attacking two police stations near Jhanda.

Toofan Singh was held responsible for the killing of BSF Deputy Commandant Davinder Singh and Assistant Commandant Lachman Singh.

Toofan Singh killed 6 Black Cat commandos in Dand Manesh.

Killing Commandant Gobind Ram
Commandant Gobind Ram was killed on January 10, 1990, in a bomb blast at the headquarters of the 75th battalion of the Punjab Armed Police in Jalandhar. He was commandant of the 75th battalion. The planning of the killing and the killing was done by Toofan Singh and Babbar Khalsa members. The bomb was planted in the cooler of his office. In the blast, 3 others, including Sub Inspector Prem Kumar, were killed and at least 4 were critically wounded. The blast also caused major damage to the building. All the windows of the second floor were broken and a fire broke out on the first floor. Multiple vehicles parked were also damaged. Gobind Ram was known as the "butcher". He was known involved in 38 extrajudicial executions. He had been on the hit list of Sikhs over his role in fake encounters. He had also beat and tortured the wives of Sikhs. He was also known for forcing people to drink urine calling it "Gobind Ram's amrit".

Various actions
Toofan Singh killed a thief named Hari Singh and also killed another Balwinder Singh Billa who looted dead bodies near Sri Hargobindpur.

Toofan Singh killed one Dr. Veer Singh of Cheem Khudi who would extorted people posing as a member of Khalistan Liberation Force.

Toofan Singh killed looters in Buttar Mahira and returned the 50000 rupees they robbed to civilians.

On October 20, 1989, Toofan Singh in a joint statement with Sukhdev Singh Babbar and Kanwarjit Singh of Khalistan Commando Force claimed responsibility for looting Rahi Butari’s police station of 7 .303 Bore Rifles, 1 Stengun, 300 cartridges, and a helmet. They also claimed responsibility for an attack on a police outpost in Sakhowal and after exploding the outpost with a bomb. In the attack 1 officers was killed and 5 wounded. Toofan and the others further claimed responsibility for exploding a BSF vehicle with a mine in Rasulpur injuring 6 BSF men.

Toofan Singh killed looters in Gagoval and returned the cycle they robbed to the owner.

Death
On April 8, 1990, Singh was killed in a village near Hargobindpur, after police and BSF surrounded his home. According to police records, he was allegedly involved in 150 killings. Director General of Police K. P. S. Gill dubbed it as the biggest accomplishment of police the whole year. At the time Toofan Singh had a reward of 100,000 rupees on his head.

Police refused to return Toofan’s dead body. Because of this 20,000 people surrounded Hargobindpur police headquarters demanding the body be handed over. The police complied.

On the day of his cremation it is estimated that almost 400,000 people were gathered to pay him the last tribute. Darshan Lal Chopra, head of BJP in Hargobindpur, attended the cremation and praised Toofan who he said, "died fighting against an oppressive government."

Legacy
Singh was considered as a martyr, and poets sang in praise of his bravery.

In 2017, a biographical film based on the life of Singh was internationally released, titled Toofan Singh. The Indian Central Board of Film Certification banned the movie.