Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan
At its peak, the BTFK's membership totaled 500 members and remained the strongest pro-Khalistan group in Tarn Taran Sahib, which was the epicenter of violence during the Punjab insurgency.[5] According to Cynthia Keppley Mahmood, who previously was a professor in Anthropology at University of Maine in Orono with expertise on Sikh revolutionary groups in Punjab, the BTF was founded in 1984 by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, who was also head of the original Panthic Committee (30 December 1994).Keppley Mahmood noted that "relations" of suspected members were targeted by police and paramilitary personnel and much of the original force had been decimated.[6] Former Indian Intelligence Bureau Joint Director, Maloy Krishna Dhar stated in a press report published by The Hindu, that "Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her ISI advisers were determined not to let peace succeed.[9] Ranjit Singh Gill alias Kuki was a Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan member.