Also spelled: Operation Bluestar (Show more) Also called: Teeja Ghallughara (Punjabi: “Third Massacre”) (Show more) Operation Blue Star, Indian military operation in June 1984 ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to root out a group of militant Sikh separatists who had occupied the Golden Temple, the Sikhs’ holiest shrine. The leader of the group was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a Sikh fundamentalist who sought the creation of an independent Sikh-majority country in Punjab state to be called Khalistan. Bhindranwale and dozens of his followers were killed in the military assault. The buildings of the Golden Temple complex, particularly the Akal Takht, sustained damage. In retaliation for the military operation, Gandhi was later assassinated by two of ...(100 of 1753 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!