Sikhs 'may Have Stingers'
Sydney Morning Herald
Sunday April 10, 1988
AMRITSAR, Sunday: Police fear that Sikh extremists have acquired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and have hidden them inside the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine.
Acquisition of the American-made shoulder-launched missiles would be a major boost in weaponry for the extremists, who have been waging a guerilla war since 1982 for more political autonomy or an independent homeland in northern Punjab State.
The Sikhs have largely relied on knives, swords, pistols and automatic rifles.
Last month the extremists used rocket-propelled grenades for the first time in three attacks on police and paramilitary units.
A senior Punjab police official said in an interview yesterday that "initial intelligence reports suggest the militants inside the temple may have Stinger missiles with them".
It was not known where the militants were getting the more sophisticated weapons, but one police official speculated that they were from Pakistan.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of allowing the militants to train and arm in its territory.
© 1988 Sydney Morning Herald