Shaheed Bhai Baljinder Singh Lattu

Babbar Khalsa

 

Bhai Baljinder Singh Lattu was born in year 1968, in the house of Sardar Virsa Singh and from the womb of Mata Swaran Kaur in Kalanaur city, near Gurdwara Baba Kar Ji. Bhai Lattu was the second eldest of Sardar Virsa Singh’s 4 sons and 1 daughter. Bhai Lattu was born in a poor farming Gursikh family. Bhai Lattu never went to school but he still could read and write Gurmukhi. Before going underground as a Jhujaru Singh in 1986, Bhai Lattu was engaged to Bibi Rajwant Kaur and then in 1990, they both were married. Bhai Lattu had 2 children, both sons, Bhai Ranjodh Singh and Bhai Jagtar Singh. When the Indian army attacked Sri Harimandir Sahib in June 1984 and killed innocent Sikh pilgrims, Bhai Lattu’s mind and heart was filled with anger against the Indian government. It was during this time, Bhai Lattu became attached to Sikhi and took Amrit from the Panj Pyare. After 1984, Bhai Lattu started reciting Gurbani and began taking part in local protests against the government policies that oppressed the minorities of India.

 

Bhai Lattu started taking part in strikes and protests that were being organised all over Punjab by All Indian Sikh Student Federation. Bhai Lattu helped his father in the small farm they had. Sometime later, Bhai Lattu’s parents set up fossil shop in Kalanaur City for him. But Bhai Lattu was inspired by the Sikh freedom movement which was progressing daily on the sacrifices of Jhujaru Singhs and Singhnia. While running the shop, Jhujaru Singhs started visiting Bhai Lattu. Following this the Punjab police once arrested Bhai Lattu on suspicion, and he was blindly tortured too. Sardar Virsa Singh took responsibility for his son and the police released Bhai Lattu.

 

Then in 1988, Bhai Lattu and a fellow Jhujaru Singh decided to leave their homes to take part in the armed struggle for Khalistan, both Jhujaru brothers went to Uttar Pardesh (UP). They both had decided to buy weapons from Uttar Pardesh, they were successful in acquiring a rifle and a bag of its ammunition. While in Uttar Pardesh and after being armed, they both decided to rob a bank, which failed badly and both Jhujaru Singhs managed to save their lives and get out of Uttar Pardesh. When Bhai Lattu returned home, he continued running his shop but he also took part in Jhujaru actions secretly.

 

Bhai Lattu was close to Bhai Kulwinder Singh Bittu of Kalanaur, and did actions under his command. After the martyrdom of Bhai Kulwinder Singh Bittu Kalanaur, a rich Hindu businessman gave out sweets and spat venom against him. Bhai Lattu witnessed this and could not allow this to happen, the Hindu businessman was on the hitlist of Jhujaru Singhs from before for his anti-Sikh activities. Bhai Lattu gather few of his Jhujaru brothers and assassinated the Hindu businessman and after this action, Bhai Lattu left home and went underground to fight for Khalistan. Bhai Lattu joined Babbar Khalsa under the commands of Bhai Dharam Singh Kashtiwal, Bhai Kuldeep Singh Fauji and Bhai Dalbir Singh Nittu (Miankot village). Bhai Lattu was wanted by the Punjab police for 20 murders, 8 of them were police officers.

 

On 22nd March 1993, Bhai Lattu and a fellow Jhujaru Singh, Bhai Balwinder Singh of Mulowali village were resting at house in Khatiala village. The Punjab police were given this information by a tout and both Jhujaru Singhs were surrounded. When Bhai Baljinder Singh Lattu realised, he had been surrounded, he began shooting at the Indian security forces and eventually attained martyrdom fighting for Khalistan.

 

Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Baljinder Singh Lattu