Shaheed Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ghukar

Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan

 

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ghukar of village Chajjalwaddi, district Ferozpur was born in 1961, from the blessed womb of Mata Amar Kaur and in the house of Sardar Prithi Singh. Bhai Sahib was at a very young age when his father passed away due to which his mother, Mata Amar Kaur became mentally unstable. From here on, Bhai Sahib was cared for by his older sister, Bibi Gurdarshan Kaur. Bhai Sahib also had a younger brother, Bhai Hardeep Singh Deepa Chajjalwaddi who also took part in the armed struggle for Khalistan. Bhai Ghukar married Bibi Gurmail Kaur from Moga in 1980, and had daughters from this marriage.

 

Bhai Ghukar was deeply affected by the attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib in June 1984, countless killings of Sikhs at the hands of Indian army left Bhai Ghukar wanting revenge. When the curfew was lifted, Bhai Ghukar and brother, Bhai Hardeep Singh, along with the local congregation went to the desecrated Sri Harimandir Sahib to pay their respects. Bhai Ghukar returned back home, but his brother never went home after this, instead he went underground and joined the Jhujaru Singhs to fight for Khalistan. The Punjab police had declared Bhai Hardeep Singh a fugitive, and started harassing the family members. Bhai Ghukar was tortured on numerous occasions and also made to spend a year in jail on false cases. During this period, Bhai Hardeep Singh was also arrested and imprisoned at Nabha Jail.

 

Even when Bhai Ghukar was released and his brother, Bhai Hardeep Singh Deepa was in jail, the police continued to harass Bhai Ghukar. There was no escape from the unjust brutality of Punjab police but to become a Jhujaru Singhs and fight against the injustices of the Indian tyrants. After 3 years, Bhai Hardeep Singh was released from jail but the police then arrested both brothers and blindly tortured them both. It was after this episode that both brothers vowed to leave home and fight for freedom for a nation where innocent people will not suffer the injustices of the tyrants. Both, known as the ‘Chajjalwaddi Brothers’ joined the Jhujaru Singhs and started targeting police stations.

 

During his Jhujaru life, Bhai Ghukar punished many elements that looted locals in the disguise of Jhujaru Singhs. He also eliminated looters as well as drug dealers in his area. Bhai Ghukar was loved ad respected in the Ferozpur/ Faridkot area, this was mainly due to him funding the marriages of many girls that were from poor backgrounds. Bhai Ghukar carried out many Jhujaru actions with Bhai Hardeep Singh Deepa Chajjalwaddi, Bhai Bakshish Singh Sona and Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. After the split of Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan, Bhai Ghukar did Jhujaru actions under the command of Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Sangha.

 

On 4th February 1991, Bhai Ghukar along with his group of Jhujaru Singhs were heading to the village of Sunehar to punish anti-Sikh elements. But the Jhujaru Singhs were confronted by the gangster who were working for the Punjab police, 3 Jhujaru Singhs attained martyrdom straight away. Bhai Ghukar was wounded with gunshots to the waist and ankle. The remaining Jhujaru Singhs picked Bhai Ghukar up and managed to get to a nearby village of Sodhiwala. Bhai Ghukar received medical care here, but they were quickly surrounded by the Indian security forces on the early hours of 5th February 1991. A fierce battle ensued between the 3 Jhujaru Singhs and the Indian security personnel in their thousands. Even in a wounded state, Bhai Ghukar sent many Indian soldiers to hell with no return ticket. In the end, when the ammunition of the Jhujaru Singhs ran out, they gave their martyrdom by swallowing capsules of cyanide. Bhai Ghukar also destroyed their weapons, so they cannot be used by the Punjab police and black cats.

 

When the locals found out about the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ghukar, they rushed to the Zira police station and demanded the bodies of the martyred Jhujaru Singhs. The Punjab police eventually trembled in front of the gathering locals and had no choice but to hand over the bodies of the martyrs. The gathering of thousands of locals for Bhai Ghukar proved that he was a messiah to the local vulnerable people.

 

Awaze Quam – 30th May/ 6th June 1991