Shaheed Bhai Mangal Singh Gajal

 

Bhai Mangal Singh was born in 1962 to the blessed womb of Mata Mohinder Kaur and the esteemed father, Jathedar Sardar Samma Singh, in the village of Gajal, near Patti, district Tarn Taran. He was the third youngest among eight siblings: Bhai Balvir Singh, Bibi Bir Kaur, Bhai Sukhdev Singh, Bibi Savinder Kaur, Bhai Tarlok Singh, Bhai Mangal Singh, Bhai Jagtar Singh, and Bibi Ninder Kaur. Like most families in Punjab, their livelihood came from farming and agriculture. Bhai Sahib’s father was a respected figure in the region, serving as the village Sarpanch for nearly twenty years. Bhai Mangal Singh completed his education up to the eighth grade at a school in Khemkaran. He embodied the qualities of a traditional Sikh from rural Punjab—standing six feet tall, with a fair complexion, a strong physique and a vibrant, positive personality.

 

A devout Gursikh, Bhai Sahib had received Amrit and remained steadfast in the Sikh way of life, always Tyar Bar Tyar (ever ready). He wore a Chola daily and maintained full Gursikh attire (Bana). Well-versed in Gurbani, he was disciplined in his daily prayers. Beyond his spiritual devotion, he was an accomplished horse rider and a master of Gatka. His passion for horse riding and stunts once led to an accident that left him with a broken leg. As he entered adulthood, Bhai Mangal Singh had already chosen his path of a warrior. He joined the prominent Nihang Jathebandi of Baba Daya Singh Ji, Dal Panth Baba Bidhi Chand Ji Sursingh Wala.

 

Then came June 1984, when the Indian Government launched its assault on the sanctum of Sikh faith, Sri Harmandir Sahib. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale had instructed many Jhujaru Singhs to leave the Sri Darbar Sahib complex during the attack, so they could survive and continue the struggle thereafter. The armed movement that followed spread across Punjab, with Jhujaru Singhs remaining resolute in their mission to establish a free homeland—Khalistan. During this period, Bhai Mangal Singh came into contact with Jhujaru Singhs at the Nihang institution where he resided. He began assisting them in various tasks and actions. Soon, the police became aware of his involvement and launched a manhunt to capture and eliminate him, as they did across Punjab. The Punjab Police, acting as instruments of the State, were bribed and promised promotions to betray their own people. Later, black cats and informers infiltrated Jhujaru Jathebandis, causing disruption and accelerating the elimination of fighters.

 

In April 1987, the police caught up with Bhai Mangal Singh near the village of Jinda, approximately ten kilometres from Harike, near Patti. Bhai Sahib was killed by the river bridge in a fake encounter, attaining Shaheedi. Initially, news spread within the Nihang camp that he had been captured and imprisoned at Harike Jail. However, before Baba Daya Singh and his supporters could intervene, the police killed him that very night. The official statement in the newspapers falsely claimed the encounter occurred in the village of Ladhu. Shaheed Bhai Mangal Singh’s cremation took place in Patti, and Baba Saroop Singh collected his ashes.

 

These Jhujaru Singhs, who took part in the armed struggle, were lions of unparalleled courage. Without divine blessings and nerves of steel, such a stand would have been impossible. They gave their heads for the cause—the fight for Khalistan—and will forever remain an inspiration for generations to come.

 

Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Mangal Singh Gajal