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Golden Temple attack: UK advised India but impact 'limited' Golden Temple attack: UK advised India but impact 'limited'
(35 minutes later)
British military advice was given to India ahead of the 1984 deadly attack on a Sikh temple but it had only a "limited impact", MPs have been told.British military advice was given to India ahead of the 1984 deadly attack on a Sikh temple but it had only a "limited impact", MPs have been told.
Foreign Secretary William Hague was delivering the findings of a review into claims an SAS officer helped Delhi plan the raid which killed hundreds.Foreign Secretary William Hague was delivering the findings of a review into claims an SAS officer helped Delhi plan the raid which killed hundreds.
The storming of the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar was intended to flush out Sikh separatists.The storming of the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar was intended to flush out Sikh separatists.
Mr Hague said UK assistance was "purely advisory" and given months beforehand.Mr Hague said UK assistance was "purely advisory" and given months beforehand.
The inquiry was launched last month after declassified documents suggested Margaret Thatcher's government was involved in planning the raid, called Operation Blue Star. The inquiry was launched last month after declassified documents were said to suggest Margaret Thatcher's government was involved in planning the raid, called Operation Blue Star.
The Indian government said about 400 people were killed in the attack, including 87 soldiers. Sikh groups say many hundreds more died. Official figures put the death toll at 575, but Mr Hague said other reports suggested "as many as 3,000 people were killed including pilgrims caught in the crossfire".
In the 30 years since, Sikhs say they have been seeking justice for lost family members. "This loss of life was an utter tragedy," he said.
"Understandably members of the Sikh community around the world still feel the pain and suffering caused by these events."
Last resortLast resort
Delivering his statement, Mr Hague set out the UK's involvement in planning for the raid.Delivering his statement, Mr Hague set out the UK's involvement in planning for the raid.
He told the Commons that the British government had received an urgent request for help from Indian authorities who wanted to regain control of the temple from Sikh militants.He told the Commons that the British government had received an urgent request for help from Indian authorities who wanted to regain control of the temple from Sikh militants.
In response, a British military adviser was sent to India in February 1984, and he recommended any attack should be a last resort, MPs heard.In response, a British military adviser was sent to India in February 1984, and he recommended any attack should be a last resort, MPs heard.
The adviser suggested using an element of surprise and helicopters to try to keep casualty numbers low, features which were not part of the final operation, Mr Hague said. The adviser suggested using an element of surprise, as well as helicopters, to try to keep casualty numbers low - features which were not part of the final operation, Mr Hague said.
No equipment or training were offered, Mr Hague said, and the attack took place three months later in a situation very different from that in which the advice was offered. No equipment or training were offered, Mr Hague said, and the Indian plan "changed significantly" in the following three months, with a considerably larger dissident force and extensive fortifications within the temple complex.
The investigation, carried out by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, involved searching 200 files and 23,000 documents.The investigation, carried out by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, involved searching 200 files and 23,000 documents.
In conclusion, Mr Hague said: "The cabinet secretary's report finds that the nature of the UK's assistance was purely advisory, limited and provided to the Indian government at an early stage; that it had limited impact on the tragic events that unfolded at the temple three months later; that there was no link between the provision of this advice and defence sales and there is no record of the (British) government receiving advance notice of the operation."In conclusion, Mr Hague said: "The cabinet secretary's report finds that the nature of the UK's assistance was purely advisory, limited and provided to the Indian government at an early stage; that it had limited impact on the tragic events that unfolded at the temple three months later; that there was no link between the provision of this advice and defence sales and there is no record of the (British) government receiving advance notice of the operation."
Retired Lt Gen Kuldeep Singh Brar, who led Operation Blue Star, maintains he had no advice or support from Britain.
"If some things went around months earlier or weeks earlier with other agencies, intelligence agencies, I am not aware of them," he told the BBC.
"From the time I was given command of Operation Blue Star 'til I planned it and executed it, let me emphatically tell you that there was no involvement whatsoever as far as the British are concerned."