Shaheed Bhai Joga Singh Thathi Jaimal Singh

Khalistan Liberation Force 

 

After the Sikh genocide of June 1984, there were rumours and speculations that Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale had escaped alive during the Indian army’s attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar and migrated to Pakistan. There were as many words as there were mouths.

 

Bhai Joga Singh, a 19-year-old boy of village Thathi Jaimal Singh, was a big fan of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. His father Sardar Gurmukh Singh and elder brothers, Bhai Joginder Singh, Bhai Mehtab Singh gave their voluntary arrests during the Dharam Yudh Morcha. Bhai Joga Singh’s family fully supported the struggle for freedom and rights of the Sikh community which was initiated by Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Joga Singh used to visit Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar with his friends and after taking Ishnan in the Sarovar, they would see Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and listen to his speeches. The Sikh genocide of June 1984 was unbearable for Bhai Joga Singh as it was for other Sikhs around the world, especially in the Majha area. After the attack in June 1984, Bhai Joga Singh knew nothing will be achieved by sitting at home and crying about what had happened and if possible, to cross the border into Pakistan and meet Sant Jarnail Singh ji Khalsa Bhindranwale to gather Sikhs and fight against the Indian government. The desecration of Sikh places of worship such as Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akaal Takht Sahib should be avenged. With this determination in mind, Bhai Joga Singh crossed the border and entered Pakistan. It was not a difficult task for Bhai Joga Singh to cross the border because despite the deployment of BSF at that time there was not so much strictness and there was no barbed wire.

 

Bhai Joga Singh was arrested by the Pakistani Border Force Rangers after crossing the border into Pakistan. Bhai Joga Singh was strictly interrogated by Pakistan’s security officials to ensure that he was not a spy of the Indian government’s intelligence department, but Bhai Joga Singh remained firm on his statement that he had only come in search of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale. Pakistani authorities filed a court case against Bhai Joga Singh for illegally crossing the border and entering Pakistan. Bhai Joga Singh was sentenced to two years in prison by the court of Pakistan. Bhai Joga Singh returned to India after serving two years in Pakistan jail. The Punjab Police knew of this and raided the family house while Bhai Joga Singh imprisoned in Pakistan. On his return, the family of Bhai Joga Singh presented him to the local police station under the supervision of their Panchayat. He was released after being warned by DSP Major Singh. Bhai Joga Singh stayed at home for 4 months. At home, he was involved in farming with his elder brothers.

 

Bhai Buta Singh Sursingh and Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma would regularly visit the village. Bhai Buta Singh Sursingh’s maternal grandfather was from the village of Thathi Jaimal Singh. Bhai Joga Singh got in touch with the Jhujaru Singhs. Bhai Buta Singh Sursingh and Bhai Avtar Singh started giving Bhai Sahib duties to crossing border as he was well aware for the surroundings.

 

Bhai Joga Singh’s was born in the house of Sardar Gurmukh Singh and from the blessed womb of Mata Pritam Kaur in July 1965 in village Thathi Jaimal Singh, near Patti, district Amritsar. Bhai Sahib had 5 siblings, eldest sister Bibi Joginder Kaur, elder brothers Bhai Joginder Singh, Bhai Kartar Singh, Bhai Mehtab Singh and a younger brother, Bhai Raj Singh. Bhai Joga Singh was quick minded, fearless and he was always ready to sacrifice his life for the Sikh nation. Bhai Joga Singh used to say, “If we call ourselves the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, then we shall attain martyrdom like them also. Those who live long lives and die rubbing their knees on their beds cannot be called the sons of the Dasmesh Pita. The struggle of the sons of the tenth Master still continues. The tyrants are still killing the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj in order to eliminate Sikhs!”

 

On the night of 23rd Har 1987, Bhai Buta Singh Sursingh, Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma, Bhai Joga Singh and some other Singhs were crossing the border at night and bringing over ammunition. BSF soldiers came to know of this and they shouted at the Jhujaru Singha to raise their hands. Bhai Joga Singh fired upon the BSF, and directed their attention towards himself, and on the other hand, Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma, Bhai Buta Singh Sursingh and other Jhujaru Singhs along with ammunition managed to escape with ease.

 

On the night of 23 Har 1987, BSF and the Jhujaru Singhs fought for the first time as they crossed the border. Bhai Joga Singh was fighting with BSF soldiers by himself for 3 hours and killed 3 Indian soldiers in this encounter before attaining martyrdom himself. The next day, Chief of Punjab Police, KPS Gill, attended the sight of the battle and told reporters in a press conference, “The BSF soldiers fought against terrorists for 3 hours in a fierce battle. In which the BSF killed a terrorist in the encounter and some of his companions managed to escape. 3x AK47 assault rifles, ammunition, night vision goggles and two binoculars were recovered from the slain terrorist. Three BSF soldiers have also been martyred in this encounter. This is the first big battle to take place between BSF and the terrorists. The slain terrorist has not been identified yet.” Once the Chief of Punjab Police K.P. Gill left the battle sight, some BSF soldiers took the dead body of Bhai Joga Singh to Thathi Jaimal Singh village to be identified by the Panchayat. Amongst the Panchayat was Sardar Gurmukh Singh who recognised his son and confirmed it with the Indian security forces also. The BSF soldiers handed over the body of Bhai Joga Singh to the Panchayat for cremation. The people of the village and surrounding areas, gathered and performed the last rites of Shaheed Bhai Joga Singh after taking bathing the body and putting new clothes on the fallen soldier of Khalistan. In the name of Shaheed Bhai Joga Singh, a Sri Akhand Paath Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj was completed.

 

Khadku Yodhe 2 – Maninder Singh Baja