Sikhs can never forget the 1984 Operation Blue Star Golden Temple Invasion, a week long battle which took place in early June that year. Decades of events led up to a showdown when the Indian Army stormed the sacred worship center of Sikhism, killing thousands of innocent worshipers, defacing, and desecrating the holy sanctuary.

In the early 1980's Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwali set up headquarters at the Golden Temple complex.

By 1983, former Indian Army officer Major General Shabeg Singh, and a band of 200 armed Khalistan freedom fighters had joined Bhindranwale at Harmandir Sahib.

In late 1983 and early 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi created Operation Blue Star, a strategic plan to assault the Golden Temple and appointed military officers to carry out her orders:

• 1st in command: General Arun Shridhar Vaidya
• 2nd in command: Lt. Gen. Sundarji
• 3rd in command: Lt. Gen. Kuldip Singh Brar

1984 Operation Blue Star Golden Temple Invasion Timeline of Events

 May of 1984: Six new military operative units of Para Commando Indian Special Forces are created to take control of the Golden Temple complex, eliminate Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwali, and conduct raids throughout all of Punjab.

May 25, 1984 (Tuesday): Indian Army troops surround the Golden Temple complex. One hundred thousand army personnel are deployed and positioned in strategic areas all around Punjab at prominent gurdwaras.

Up Next: June 1st