Operation Blue Star’s 33rd anniversary: Rare pictures from Express Archives

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale standing in front of a fortification on Guru Ram Das Sarai before Operation Blue Star commenced. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   1 / 11

   Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale standing in front of a fortification on Guru Ram Das Sarai before Operation Blue Star commenced. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   2 / 11

   VP Singh waves at the gathering in front of the Akal Takht during his visit after Operation Blue Star in June 1984. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   3 / 11

   Kar Seva in full swing at Golden temple post Operation Blue Star. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   4 / 11

   Kar Sevaks pulling down the Akal Takht building built under the supervision of Nihang chief, Baba Santa Singh. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   5 / 11

   Nihang baba Santa Singh who undertook karseva for the Akal Takht following Operation Blue Star. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   6 / 11

   President Giani Zail Singh visit Golden Temple following Operation Blue Star in June 1984. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   7 / 11

   A view of 'karseva' at Golden Temple after Operation Blue Star. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   8 / 11

   Devotees rush to have darshan of Golden Temple in Amritsar after it was opened for the public following operation blue star. Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar September 25, 1984)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   9 / 11

   As the Golden Temple was thrown open to public after the Operation Blue Star, public throng the venue to have 'darshan'. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   10 / 11

   Baba Joginder Singh holding a meeting in the Golden Temple Complex after the Operation Blue Star. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar January 30, 1986)

1. 👁 operation blue star, blue star anniversary, 1984 emergency, balwant singh rajoana, beant singh assassination
   

   11 / 11

   Kar sevaks throng the holy sarovar to take part in cleansing it after Operation Blue Star. (Express Photo by Swadesh Talwar)