Shaheed Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal

Khalistan Liberation Force

 

Bhai Kewal Singh was born in 1971, in the house of Sardar Sukhchain Singh and from the blessed womb of Mata Hardeep Kaur in village Duhal Kohna, near Patti, district Amritsar. Bhai Sahib was the youngest of his siblings, eldest being Bhai Kalga Singh, Bibi Surinder Kaur and Bibi Rani Kaur. Bhai Kewal Singh studied up to eighth grade from a local school in the village of Duhal. Bhai Sahib was of a gentle nature, he did not exaggerate with anyone. In 1988, Bhai Kewal Singh was married to Bibi Paramjit Kaur, daughter of Sardar Joginder Singh Bahrwali and they had 2 children, Satnam Singh and Sukhjit Kaur.

 

The Jhujaru Singhs of the nearby villages started to come to the house of Bhai Kewal Singh for food and shelter. The police also started to harass Bhai Sahib to either help the police arrest the Jhujaru Singhs or give them poison in their food and water, for which the government will help Bhai Sahib in every way. It is rare for someone to become informers at the behest of the Punjab police to lure the Jhujaru Singhs to the police, kill the them by poisoning them and get rewards from the government. In time to come, history and people will punish those who have committed such vile deeds. People true to their cause remain in favour of Jhujaru Singhs and never turn disloyal even after enduring police brutality on their bodies. They sacrifice their lives and if the tyranny of the police becomes too much, then the pious people rebel against the government and become companions of the Jhujaru Singhs. This is the reality of Shaheed Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal’s involvement in the Sikh struggle, and how he joined his Jhujaru brothers. This has given him the status of being a great warrior of the Sikh struggle and a hero in the pages of Sikh history.

 

Bhai Kewal Singh initially came in contact with Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu, Bhai Anar Singh Para, Bhai Pipal Singh Toofan of Kalia Sakatran, Bhai Swaran Singh Granthi, Bhai Surjit Singh Jhakhar Thathi Jaimal Singh and continued to take a leading part in the guerilla attacks carried out by the Jhujaru Singhs on the Hindustani security forces. Bhai Kewal Singh’s father, Sardar Sukhchain Singh was tortured so much by the Punjab police that he lost his eyesight, but government’s inhumane torture could sway Bhai Kewal Singh off from the path of Sikh struggle.

 

Bhai Kewal Singh bravely fought a guerilla war with the Indian security forces. Bhai Kewal Singh and fellow Jhujaru Singhs detonated the drain of village Kalia Secretariat with a bomb blast in which the BSF vehicles were blown up. When a police vehicle was attacked at the bridge of Duhal, the Punjab policemen jumped out of the vehicle and ran away. The Jhujaru Singhs challenged that, “If you have had your mother’s milk, then come onto the battlefield and fight us.” Bhai Kewal Singh, Bhai Anar Singh Para, Bhai Swaran Singh Granthi, Bhai Pipal Singh Toofan, Bhai Surjit Singh Jhakhar and Bhai Shinder Singh Raja, were chasing the please policemen. The policemen took up refuge amongst the Sikh congregation which was making its way to the Gurdwara with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. This was done, because the Jhujaru Singhs will never aim their assault rifles towards their eternal Guru. The policemen also removed their shoes in order to join the Sikh congregation. The Jhujaru Singhs spared the lives of the so-called brave Punjab policemen, and took the shoes of the policemen. This was done so that the policemen can go to their police station tell others about their bravery, how they survived a real battle with the Jhujaru Singhs.

 

Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu and another Jhujaru Singh had been surrounded by Punjab police and CRPF soldiers in village Vatu Bhatu near Makhu (District Ferozepur). Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal, Bhai Narinder Singh alias Punjab Singh Manawa, Bhai Mukhtiar Singh Sabra along with their group of Jhujaru Singhs flanked the Indian security forces from behind, who were trying to capture Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu. This attack from the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj shocked the Indian security forces, who were heard loudly shouting, “Jawano, save your lives, the Singhs have attacked us from behind.” When the Jhujaru Singhs shouted, “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal!”, as they attacked the enemy, Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu and the fellow Jhujaru Singh heard the Singhs and realised they have attacked the enemy to break the siege upon them. CRPF soldiers sad many policemen fell victim to the attack by the Jhujaru Singhs and many were injured. The Singhs who attacked to break the siege also suffered losses in the encounter. Bhai Mukhtiar Singh Sabra and two other Jhujaru Singhs were martyred. Due to the courage and bravery of Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal and Bhai Narinder Singh alias Punjab Singh Manawa and other Singhs, Lieutenant General Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu of Khalistan Liberation Force managed to escape from the area at night.

 

On 29th November 1992, Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal, Bhai Daler Singh Mastgarh attacked BSF checkpoint near the village of Bhure, Sher Shah Wali. Due to a BSF headquarters located nearby, the 2 Jhujaru Singhs were surrounded by BSF soldiers from behind. A fierce battle took place between the Jhujaru brothers and the Indian security forces, it was in the battle that Bhai Kewal Singh Duhal and Bhai Daler Singh Mastgarh attained martyrdom fighting with bravery.

 

The bodies of Shaheed Singhs were taken by the police to the Patti hospital for post-mortem, after being identified from the Panchayats of village Duhal and Mastgarh, the families were given the bodies. Both Jhujaru Singhs were cremated together, under the heavy presence of Indian security forces.

 

The Bhog of Sehaj Paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj was done on 9th December 1992 at Shaheed Bhai Kewal Singh’s home in village Duhal Kohna, district Amritsar. People from near and far were strictly prevented from participating in the prayers, but even then, thousands attended to pay their respects the fallen soldier of Khalistan.

 

Khadku Yodhe 2 – Maninder Singh Baja