Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Dhurkot
Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Dhurkot Khalistan Liberation Force
After the attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib in June 1984, the brave sons of Punjab took up arms, following the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, they courageously fought against the Indian security forces. During this period, every home in Punjab became a fortress, echoing the spirit of Anandgarh and Chamkaur. In the Malwa region, under the leadership of the Khalistan Liberation Force Chief, the revered martyr Jathedar Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Baldev Singh Deba emerged as a fearless warrior, making unparalleled sacrifices on the battlefield. His family too, endured the brutalities of government torture. Sadly, the sacrifices of these martyrs remain largely unknown to today’s generation.
Birth, Parents & Education
Bhai Baldev Singh alias Deba was born on 2nd March 1965, in the village of Dhurkot Kalan, district Moga, from the blessed womb of Mata Surjit Kaur and in the house of Sardar Kapoor Singh. Bhai Baldev Singh showed great courage and agility from a young age, and his family raised him with much love and care. He was the fifth eldest of six siblings and had completed 8th class at a government school in his village.
Meeting Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale
In 1983, Bhai Baldev Singh, accompanied by the Sikh congregation from his village, visited Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and met Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Sant Ji warmly welcomed Bhai Baldev Singh on the Langar Hall’s roof and addressed the Sangat, discussing the challenging circumstances and how to respond to government oppression. He encouraged the youth to prepare themselves for armed resistance. Expressing his dedication, Bhai Baldev Singh said, “Sant Ji, I am here to serve the Panth with my life. Please allow me to serve as you see fit. I am prepared to lay down my life for the Panth and to punish those who betray it.” Sant Ji assured him by saying, “When the time comes, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj will call upon you for service. For now, continue reciting Gurbani.” After this meeting, Bhai Baldev Singh returned to his village but remained active in the Dharam Yudh Morcha and maintained a close relationship with Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.
The Battle of Amritsar
In June 1984, the Indian government, like the Mughals and Afghans before them, attacked Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akaal Takht Sahib with tanks and cannons. The Parikarma and the Sarovar were stained red with the blood of thousands of Sikhs, including Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and other Singhs who became martyrs defending the complex, sparking widespread outrage. Learning of this tragedy, Bhai Baldev Singh was deeply disturbed, and a sense of rebellion against the government ignited in his heart, much like other Sikhs around Punjab at the time. He, too, felt compelled to fight for Khalistan’s freedom and began collaborating secretly with the Jhujaru Singhs of his area.
Anand Karaj
Bhai Sahib’s family began pressuring him to get married, but he had already made up his mind to sacrifice his life for the Sikh struggle. Despite his reluctance, Bhai Baldev Singh agreed to marry at the insistence of his relatives. On 21st January 1985, he married Bibi Darshan Kaur from Mubarakpur village. Shortly after the wedding, Bhai Baldev Singh became known on the radar of the Punjab police.
Arrested at Moga District Court and Brutal Torture
Bhai Baldev Singh Deba, along with Bhai Balvir Singh and Bhai Pal Singh, were surrounded and arrested by the police from Bagha Purana police station in Moga District Court. They were held in custody for 3 months, enduring brutal torture, before being falsely charged and transferred to Faridkot Jail. Later, the police from Mehna took Bhai Baldev Singh on remand from the jail and subjected him to further inhuman torture, questioning him about various Jhujaru Singhs and actions.
After some time, Bhai Deba was transferred to Ghal Kalan police station, where Bhai Baldev Singh endured more torture, including having his thighs torn and pepper poured on them, being hung by his legs, and beaten. Despite the severe torture, he remained steadfast, reciting Choupai Sahib (a Sikh Prayer), and refused to reveal any secrets of the organization. Failing to extract any information, the police transferred Bhai Baldev Singh to Sangrur Jail. In Sangrur Jail, Bhai Baldev Singh connected with many Jhujaru Singhs, and together, they planned future strategies for the Sikh struggle.
Sold Land for Release
The family of Bhai Baldev Singh Deba sold their farm to bribe police officials and secure Bhai Baldev Singh’s release on bail after two and a half years of imprisonment. Despite his release, the police continued to harass him and his family members relentlessly, causing ongoing distress.
Arrested Again from His House
When the Jhujaru Singhs of Khalistan Liberation Force, led by Jathedar Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, carried out a significant operation against RSS members in Nehru Park, Moga, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and many injured, tensions escalated. Following this incident, Bhai Baldev Singh was targeted. Punjab police and CRPF surrounded his house, creating a commotion by firing shots and waking up the entire village. During the night, Bhai Baldev Singh Deba was arrested from his home. The next morning, the village Panchayat intervened, going to the Moga police station and securing Bhai Baldev Singh’s release.
Exchanging Turbans with Bhai Khukrana
Bhai Baldev Singh Deba held Jathedar Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana of the Khalistan Liberation Force in high regard. While traveling in the Moga area at night, Jhujaru Singhs such as Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana, Bhai Lakha Singh Dhalleke, Bhai Darshan Singh Takhanwadh, Bhai Manjit Singh Mini Baba and others, they all visited the house of Bhai Baldev Singh Deba for langar. Bhai Deba had told Jhujaru Singhs that he was not married, this was to avoid being declined from doing Jhujaru actions, as normally married men would be advised to stay at home and support the Sikh struggle in other ways. Due to the regular visits, Jhujaru Singhs soon found out that Bhai Deba was in fact married. Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana firmly advised, “Bhai Baldev Singh, you should stay at home now. A garden without a gardener withers away. You have already endured much torture in his village, and your son Navdeep Singh is only 9 months old.” However, Bhai Baldev Singh remained resolute in his commitment to serve in the Sikh struggle, declaring that he would not retreat now. He believed that Guru Sahib himself would protect his family. Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana reiterated that it was the decision of all the Jhujaru Singhs that Bhai Baldev Singh would serve the Panth by staying at home.
Bhai Baldev Singh Deba proposed, “I will accept this if Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana exchanges his turban and becomes my brother.” That night, both Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana and Bhai Baldev Singh Deba exchanged their turbans, and Kulwant Singh joyfully distributed sweets to all the fellow Singhs. At daybreak, as Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana prepared to depart after exchanging Guru Fateh, Bhai Baldev Singh exclaimed, “You became my brother by exchanging turbans last night, and now you’re leaving your brother alone at home? I cannot bear to be separated from my brothers.” Moved by his words, everyone embraced each other. With his family’s permission, Bhai Baldev Singh Deba also accompanied Jathedar Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and never returned home.
Police Brutality on Bhai Deba’s Son
When Bhai Baldev Singh Deba embraced the life of a Jhujaru Singh, the police intensified their harassment of his family. Mata Surjit Kaur and brother Sukhdev Singh were taken by the Mehna police and tortured to reveal Bhai Baldev Singh’s whereabouts. Bibi Darshan Kaur, Bhai Baldev Singh’s wife, along with their 9-month-old son, Navdeep Singh were forcibly taken from their home by the police. The police stopped their vehicles on a canal bridge, where they verbally abused Bibi Darshan Kaur and began assaulting her with rifle butts, the Punjab police officers snatched the nine-month-old baby from Bibi Darshan Kaur’s arms and ruthlessly struck him into the tyre of their vehicle. The infant’s leg was broken, and his screams pierced the sky. Overwhelmed with anguish, Bibi Darshan Kaur forcefully freed her arm from the policemen, embraced her crying child, and held him close to her chest. (Despite receiving medical treatment, Navdeep Singh’s leg has not fully healed to this day, leaving him with a lifelong disability.) Both were released after days of harassment and interrogation.
Bhai Deba’s home burnt by Punjab police
Bibi Darshan Kaur, who endured police torture, was forced to leave her home and stay with relatives for many months. Bhai Baldev Singh’s house was converted into a police checkpoint. Despite police raids throughout Punjab, they failed to capture Bhai Deba. As a last resort, the police looted valuables from Bhai Baldev Singh Deba’s house, then burnt the family home with kerosene and left the dairy animals roaming free in the village.
Jhujaru Actions
During the armed struggle, Bhai Baldev Singh Deba actively participated in many Jhujaru actions alongside other Jhujaru Singhs from Khalistan Liberation Force and Khalistan Commando Force. Some of them are listed below:
In the Jagraon encounter, alongside Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana, they targeted CRPF vehicles.
In Barnala town, six corrupt policemen from the Sadar police station were killed by Bhai Deba and fellow Jhujaru Singhs.
During the Badowal encounter, Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Mehna, Bhai Chamkaur Singh Dala, and Bhai Baldev Singh Deba broke through the siege, escaping while killing many Indian soldiers.
Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Deba played a crucial role in eliminating many police informants also code named ‘CAT’ (Counterinsurgency Assault Team), traitors and those who betrayed the Sikh nation.
Humility and Courage
Bhai Baldev Singh possessed great humility and courage. He would often single-handedly raid police stations, never seeking recognition. He avoided mentioning his name in newspapers, showing his humility. He remained devoted to reading Gurbani constantly and after taking Amrit, he strictly followed his Nitnem, never missing the Amrit Vela. Before and after every Jhujaru action, he prayed and thanked the Waheguru. Bhai Deba was always by the side of Jathedar Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukrana. Despite facing ruin and the oppression of his family, Bhai Baldev Singh remained steadfast, and unwavering in his Panthic goal of Khalistan. He dressed and spoke modestly, showing foresight in his thinking. He was skilled in both weapon use and strategy. The anti-Sikh elements feared Bhai Deba.
Martyrdom of Bhai Baldev Singh Deba
Bhai Baldev Singh Deba, Bhai Manjit Singh Dala, Bhai Chamkaur Singh Dala and Bhai Gurcharan Singh Mehna were taken to a farmhouse in village Kapura by a police informer named Banta, who pretended to sympathize with the Jhujaru Singhs but was actually working with the police. Under the guise of bringing meals for the Singhs, Banta left and informed the local police team about the Jhujaru Singh’s location. Upon receiving the news at 7:30pm, SHO Harcharan Singh of Mehna police station, along with a large number of police personnel, headed towards village Kapura. The police surrounded the farmhouse, and when the Singhs realized this, they picked up their assault rifles and took positions shouting slogans of “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akaal – Khalistan Zindabad.” The Jhujaru Singhs emerged from the farmhouse and took the position in the pasture farms. When the police advanced, the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj responded with bullets from their AK47 assault rifles. The police, fearing for their lives, laid down on the ground until it was dark. In the darkness, they retreated and hid behind objects, continuing to fire at the Jhujaru Singhs.
Realizing that the Jhujaru Singhs might escape under the cover of darkness, SHO Harcharan Singh called SHO Kashmir Singh of Sadar Moga police station for reinforcements. Gunman Dalbara Singh Havildar of Moga DSP and BSF also arrived at the site with armed personnel. From the evening of 27th July 1991, until 10am on the morning on 28th July 1991, the Jhujaru Singhs engaged in a fierce battle with the Indian security forces for approximately fifteen hours. Bhai Baldev Singh fought with great courage and fearlessness throughout the night, defending against any attempt by the Indian forces to advance. The locals from around the area witnessed the bravery of the Jhujaru Singh as they fought against the police, who were ducking and diving to save their lives. At dawn, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Mehna and Bhai Chamkaur Singh Dala managed to escape by breaking through the police cordon when a large herd of cows passed by. However, Bhai Baldev Singh Deba and Bhai Manjit Singh Dala, surrounded by the police, fought until they ran out of ammunition and attained martyrdom.
In honour of Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Deba and Shaheed Bhai Manjit Singh Dala, a Sri Akhand Paath Sahib was conducted on 6th August 1991, in villages Dhurkot Kalan and Dala. A tribute was published in the newspapers by Jathedar Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, Bhai Paramjit Singh Panjwar and Bhai Kuljit Singh Moga, inviting the Sikh congregation to join in the Ardas ceremony. However, the police and CRPF surrounded the area and imposed curfew-like conditions, allowing only the locals to attend the prayer services for the martyrs. Relatives were also stopped by the police at checkpoints and turned away.
Revenge
Twenty days after the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Deba and Shaheed Bhai Manjit Singh Dala, Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and his companions attacked the police station of Mehna. They challenged and eliminated an ASI and three policemen in the market in the afternoon. Additionally, they avenged the martyrs by punishing the police informant Banta for his betrayal.
Navdeep Singh, Son of Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Deba
Despite being handicapped by a leg injury inflicted by police atrocities at the age of just 9 months, Navdeep Singh, the son of Shaheed Bhai Baldev Singh Deba, actively participates in every protest and activity of the Sikh community with enthusiasm, following in his father’s footsteps. The police attempted to implicate Navdeep Singh in several cases, but with the blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, he has been able to avoid any serious jail time.
Tavareekh-E-Khalistan – Bhai Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal