Shaheed Bhai Tarlochan Singh Bittu

Martyr of June 1984

 

Shaheed Bhai Tarlochan Singh Bittu was a brave Gursikh who attained martyrdom defending the sanctity of Sri Harimandir Sahib in June 1984. Bhai Sahib was born in the house of Sardar Hardeep Singh and from the blessed womb of Mata Gurnam Kaur in village Basarke, district Tarn Taran. Altogether, Sardar Hardeep Singh had 5 children. Bhai Sahib’s family was attached to Damdami Taksal from the time of Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, he had taken Amrit from the Panj Pyare here and started living a pure and truthful living, reciting Gurbani all the time. 

 

At the time of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, Bhai Sahib enrolled at Damdami Taksal and started doing Gurbani Santhaya. Before the June 1984 attack, Bhai Sahib had joined the Jhujaru Singhs and carried out many actions under the command of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Sahib was very brave and courageous, even the fellow Jhujaru Singhs sang praises of him. When Sant Ji and the Shromani Akali Dal initiated the Dharam Yudh Morcha for the rights of Punjab, Bhai Sahib did not hold back and showed great support. During this time, Bhai Sahib served as the gunman and security of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, he listened and completed every command of Sant Ji. In return, Sant Ji also showed great love to Bhai Sahib and trusted him wholeheartedly. Bhai Sahib was also very close to Bhai Amrik Singh Khalsa, Baba Thara Singh, Bhai Dara Singh Driver, Bhai Kashmir Singh Driver and many others. Bhai Sahib was very keen on attaining martyrdom, he wanted to sacrifice his life for the Sikh nation. Bhai Sahib could not tolerate traitors who were working under the Indian government to continue to enslave the Sikhs in India. 

 

The Dharam Yudh Morcha was at its peak, many Sikhs had given their voluntary arrests and many Sikhs had attained martyrdom, the Indian government had no other choice but to accept the demands listed in the Sri Anandpur Resolution. Instead of honouring the Sri Anandpur Resolution, the prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi sent her army to attack Sri Harimandir Sahib and eliminate Sant Ji and the free voice of Sikhs.  Under the command of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, General Shabeg Singh and Baba Thara Singh, Bhai Sahib fought bravely against the invading Indian army. It is said by eye witnesses that Bhai Sahib attained martyrdom on the night of 5th June outside Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Fellow Jhujaru Singhs, who also fought against the Indian army and were arrested, stated that Bhai Sahib had killed many Indian soldiers due to his positioning, he had lack of cover but continued to attack the army fearlessly. The family are proud of the service Shaheed Bhai Tarlochan Singh Bittu has done for the Sikh nation. 

 

Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Tarlochan Singh Basarke