In a fresh plea to Civil Judge, Senior Division, Harjit Singh's court, which is hearing a civil case related to the operation, Rao said unknown persons yesterday clicked his pictures and his identity has been disclosed and there was a "definite threat" to his life.

Rao, who was to appear in the case today again, sought time from the court and said that during his next hearing, he would come with adequate security.

As a primary witness in the case, he had yesterday appeared before the court and answered questions regarding the execution of the operation. He told how the three tanks entered the Golden Temple complex and how the firing took place between the Indian Army and the militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

He had said he was in charge of the operation, but was executing the orders of his seniors. Hailing from Hyderabad, Rao's present residential address was not disclosed by his lawyers, who confirmed that he had expressed threat to his life.

Surjit Singh, counsel of the complainant party, also confirmed that Rao has sought security and submitted a request in the court.

"Rao was upset that his photographs were clicked and his identity disclosed. He fears threat to his life and will take up the matter with the police of his home state," said advocate Surjit Singh, adding that Rao had also given an application for registration of an FIR regarding yesterday's incident in which photographs were clicked by unknown cameramen.

The case in which Rao had been a prime witness relates to the compensation sought by 379 Jodhpur detainees for their imprisonments in various jails following Operation Bluestar. Rao was cross-examined by the complainant party's counsel and the next date of hearing was fixed for February 18. The senior police officers said the FIR was being registered and they would see that sufficient security was provided to the former Army official.

Rao, who was being kept at an undisclosed location, left for Delhi, from where he would go to Hyderabad. Apart from him, former CBI investigating officer BS Kanwar had also submitted before the court during the last hearing that 500 civilians and 85 Armymen were killed in the operation.