Shaheed Bhai Jagjeet Singh Changiara

Saffron Tigers Force of Khalistan / Khalistan Liberation Force

 

Bhai Jagjeet Singh was born on 13th February 1962, from the blessed womb of Mata Dalip Kaur and in the house of Sardar Gurbaksh Singh in village Akalia Jalal, near Ful, district Bathinda. Bhai Jagjeet Singh had 2 brothers, Bhai Makhan Singh, Bhai Balvir Singh and 1 sister, Bibi Surjit Kaur. Bhai Sahib studied at the high school of Akalia Jalal up until 8th class. As there were many duties of the household, Sardar Gurbaksh Singh took Bhai Sahib out of study, and started working within their family farms.

 

After the attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib in June 1984, Bhai Jagjit Singh visited Amritsar to pay his respects and witness what the Indian army had done to suppress the Sikhs of India. Seeing the desecrated Sri Akaal Takht Sahib saddened Bhai Sahib, he went home and remained restless. Bhai Sahib took Amrit from the Panj Pyare and started supporting the local Jhujaru Singhs in secret. Bhai Sahib also started attending Panthic conferences that were happening around the Punjab state. Bhai Sahib came in contact with Bhai Chamkaur Singh Akalia, a known Jhujaru Singh from the same and did many actions together.

 

Bhai Sahib remained underground for 3 months but was unfortunately arrested by Bathinda police. Bhai Sahib was charged with 4/5 cases and sent to the jail of Bathinda. After 2 years, Sardar Gurbaksh Singh managed to gain the bail of his son, but soon the bail was cancelled and Bhai Sahib was imprisoned again but this time in the jail of Sangrur. Bhai Sahib was kept in this jail for a year. Due to falling ill and needing medical attention, Bhai Sahib was sent to hospital for an operation after which he came home. Soon as Bhai Sahib was able to walk, he joined another 2/3 Sikh males from the village and went underground to join the Jhujaru Singhs. The remaining medical attention was given to Bhai Sahib while he was underground.

 

Bhai Sahib did many actions and punished many anti-Sikh elements, he also helped the weak and the vulnerable. Bhai Sahib made sure he punished looters who traumatizing the local public. Proving his bravery and commitment to the Khalistan movement, Bhai Sahib was given the rank of Area Commander by the senior leadership of Saffron Tigers Force of Khalistan. The police touts in the area were now fearing for their lives knowing Bhai Jagjeet Singh Changiara was hunting them down. During his Jhujaru life, Bhai Sahib became very close of Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Mangal Singh Rauta and Bhai Iqbal Singh Mini Baba. It is said that Bhai Sahib and Bhai Iqbal Singh alias Mini Baba had promised to attain martyrdom together. This shows the brotherly love they had between them.

 

In the end Bhai Sahib, Bhai Iqbal Singh alias Mini Baba and Bhai Mangal Singh Rauta were staying at house in the village of Tharaj. An informant had told the police of this and within minutes all three Singhs were surrounded by Indian security forces. Bhai Iqbal Singh was having a bath when a fellow Singh informed him that the CRPF had surrounded them. All 3 Jhujaru Singhs then grabbed their assault rifles and shouted war cries of Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal. A fierce encounter started, Bhai Mangal Singh Rauta managed to escape while Bhai Sahib and Bhai Iqbal Singh alias Mini Baba continued to battle. They had limited ammunition, but still they continued to battle the Indian security forces. After 2 hours of fierce battle, Bhai Sahib and Bhai Iqbal Singh alias Mini Baba attained martyrdom together and remained true to their promise.

 

Awaze Qaum – 30th May/ 6th June 1991