Shaheed Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera
Shaheed Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera
Khalistan Commando Force
The brave and courageous Jhujaru Singh of Khalistan Commando Force, Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera was born on 15th January 1971, in the house of Sardar Dalip Singh and from the blessed womb of Mata Pritam Kaur in the Patti area, district Amritsar. Bhai Sahib’s family home is half a kilometer away from the Patti bus station. Bhai Sahib was 5ft 8in, fair skin color, athletic body and he was very fiery. Sardar Dalip Singh had 10 children, 5 sons, Bhai Gursher Singh, Bhai Balbir Singh, Bhai Lakhbir Singh, Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera (Shaheed), Bhai Surinder Singh and 5 daughters, Bibi Bir Kaur, Bibi Charan Kaur, Bibi Swaran Kaur, Bibi Karamjit Kaur, Bibi Paramjit Kaur. Sardar Dalip Singh worked in the official capacity of the Patti judicial courts, and Bhai Sahib’s grandfather, Sardar Heera Singh was a retired army officer.
At a young age Bhai Sahib was very religious, and did limitless selfless service at the historic Sikh temple, Gurdwara Bhath Sahib Baba Bidhi Chand of Patti. Every Masaya, Bhai Sahib would go to Sri Darbar Sahib in Tarn Taran to worship and do Ishnan in the holy waters there. Bhai Sahib only studied up to 8th class and after worked as a tailor, a trade/skill in which he became very good at.
Meeting the Jhujaru Singhs
When the basic human rights of Punjab and the Panth were being attacked, one great fearless leader took the stand against the injustices on Punjab, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale started the Dharam Yudh Morcha to awaken the youth of Punjab and install the sovereignty aspect back into the hearts of the Sikhs. Bhai Sahib along with his friends would also attend the Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar to worship and listen to the speeches of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. But when the Indian army attacked Sri Harimandir Sahib complex, desecrating Sri Akaal Takht Sahib and killing thousands of Sikhs in cold blood, like every other Sikh, Bhai Sahib was deeply hurt and from there on his practical fight against the Indian state began.
After this genocidal attack on Sikhs by the Indian army, Sikh youth started to guard the words of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale by fighting for Khalistan in an arms struggle. It was during these days that Bhai Sahib met the Jhujaru Singhs of Khalistan Commando Force and after witnessing their love for Sikhi and Gurbani, Bhai Sahib also decided to jump into the battlefield alongside his Jhujaru brothers. Bhai Sahib remained secretive about his involvement in the Sikh struggle but now Jhujaru Singhs would come to Bhai Sahib’s tailor shop regularly. Bhai Sahib would make small Kesri flags with the initials KCF on them, these were than given to fellow Jhujaru Singhs to decorate their assault rifles with it.
Actions within the Khalistan movement
Bhai Sahib alongside his group of Jhujaru brothers were carrying out their actions in the Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Patti, Khemkaran, Sursingh, Gagobua, Chabba and Kartarpur areas. Bhai Sahib and his group had 1 scooter and 1 Yamaha motorcycle, both were used in many Jhujaru actions. Bhai Sahib once punished an enemy who portrayed himself as a Jhujaru Singh and would loot the weak and vulnerable, this action was done in Naurangabad. Bhai Sahib also punished an Arhtiya, who would harass the local farmers and also spit venom about Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Sahib on many occasions had an all-out battle with the security forces of India in which he escaped unharmed. Bhai Sahib also attacked many police stations and killed many police officers that tortured innocent Sikhs civilians. Bhai Sahib also did not spare the police touts and informants that would have Singhs killed by the hands of the butcher police of Punjab. The comrades of Punjab in their red turbans and also the enemies of the Sikh faith feared the Jhujaru Singhs for their commitment to the establishment of Khalistan.
As well as doing Jhujaru actions under the senior command of Khalistan Commando Force, Bhai Sahib also did Jhujaru actions alongside his Jhujaru brothers from Khalistan Liberation Force and Bhindranwale Tigers Force of Khalistan. Bhai Dalbir Singh Khela the Lt General of Khalistan Liberation Force was like brother to Bhai Sahib and the pair would regularly visit each other’s home. Bhai Sahib as well as punishing enemies of the Sikh Panth, he also encouraged social change for the betterment of Punjab, for example, Bhai Sahib stopped dowry in his area that was put upon the family of the bride. Bhai Sahib closed many alcohol shops there being built literally on every corner of Punjab. Bhai Sahib also rehoused women with their husbands, who had been kicked out by their in-laws.
The chief of Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Sangha attained martyrdom in a fierce battle. SP Operation Harjit was responsible and the Jhujaru Singhs had vowed to avenge the martyrdom of a courageous Jhujaru leader of the Khalistan armed struggle. The Jhujaru Singhs of Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar) took on this task to assassinate SP Operation Harjit. Jhujaru Singhs such as Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera, Baba Sukha Singh Khara (village Sarhali), Bhai Bhupinder Singh Bhinda (village Dasandhi Mal) and Bhai Gursewak Singh Jammu under the command of KCF deputy chief, Bhai Major Singh (UP) planted a bomb on the roadside killing SP Operation Harjit and another 5 police officers.
“Now I will attain martyrdom…”
On 30th November 1991, Bhai Sahib’s older brother, Bhai Lakhbir Singh has a baby son and when Bhai Sahib saw his nephew for the first time I happily said, “Your finally here Ranjit Singh, my nephew. Now I will attain martyrdom.” Upon hearing this, one of the female relatives of Bhai Sahib who was also present said, “No my son, don’t say that. Your loving to your mother and so is this child to his mother. Waheguru Ji has blessed this house with a son. We were here thinking what to name the baby, and you walked in and named him straight away, Ranjit Singh.”
Bhai Sahib replied, “No Massi. I am now ready, the path I have chosen, there is death on every step. Don’t know when there will be a battle, and our father Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj calls me. The Path of Sikhi is very different from others, we have to walk on the edge of the Khanda. If Guru blesses me, I will attain martyrdom soon.”
The nephew that Bhai Sahib named Ranjit Singh really did become the Waris of martyrs, and has always followed the inspirational words of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Ranjit Singh does not need any introduction and the whole Sikh nation knows of him as the he is the president of Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala, and raises his voice for the Sikh Panth and is not shy to go against the enemies of the Sikh Panth. Bhai Ranjit Singh writes and speaks for Punjab, and has books under the title of ‘Tavareekh-E-Khalistan’.
Jail journey
Then in May 1992, the Punjab police raided the shop and the house of Bhai Sahib to arrest him but were unsuccessful, it from this point Bhai Sahib went underground. Then some time later, Bhai Sahib along with his Jhujaru brothers, Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga and Bhai Gurdev Singh Gebu were arrested by the CRPF as they rested in a house in the village of Dyalpur, near Kartarpur. The CRPF had been informed of this by an informant and all the weapons of the Jhujaru Singhs were also taken by the Indian security forces.
CRPF had handed Bhai Sahib over to the Thandedar of Kartarpur, from where Bhai Sahib was taken to the CIA Staff of Jalandhar. Here Bhai Sahib was tortured for 15 days and then sent to the jail of Jalandhar. It was after 6 months, Bhai Sahib was released on bail. In jail, Bhai Sahib met some of the top Jhujaru Singhs who made his thoughts for Khalistan stronger and more woke about the whole movement. Bhai Sahib would tailor the clothing for Jhujaru Singhs in jail and had been nicknamed ‘Baba Darji’.
As soon as Bhai Sahib came out of jail, he started punishing the anti-Sikh elements in his area. Bhai Sahib punished the police tout who had him arrested. It is worth mentioning, when Bhai Sahib was fighting the Indian security forces daily in his path to freedom, the CRPF also harassed his brothers, Bhai Lakhbir Singh and Bhai Surinder Singh Shinder. The CRPF had set up a base near the family home of Bhai Sahib.
Some of the Jhujaru Singh Bhai Sahib carried out actions with
Bhai Sahib was nicknamed ‘Baba Darji’ by his Jhujaru brothers. Bhai Sahib was close to Bhai Jassa Singh Ghuk Manha Mallian (Shaheed), Bhai Dalbir Singh Khela (Shaheed), Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga Kang (Shaheed), Bhai Bhupinder Singh Bhinda Dasandhi Mal (Shaheed), Bhai Harbhajan Singh Sursingh (Shaheed), Bhai Narinder Singh Gagobua (Shaheed), Bhai Ram Singh Ghuk Sursingh (Shaheed), Bhai Surjit Singh Seetal Jhakkar (Shaheed), Bhai Joginder Singh Kanda Brigadier (Shaheed), Bhai Bakshish Singh Sheesha Nava Pind (Shaheed), Bhai Gurdev Singh Nava Pind (Shaheed), Bhai Nishan Singh Makhu (Shaheed), Bhai Balwinder Singh Gagobua (Shaheed), Bhai Kulwinder Singh Deol Valtoha (Shaheed), Bhai Ranjit Singh Karahka (Shaheed), Bhai Bagicha Singh Khalsa Kalian Sakatran (Shaheed), Bhai Sawinder Singh Sohal (Shaheed), Bhai Wassan Singh Zaffarwal.
All the above Jhujaru Singhs had great love for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj and always made time to meditate on one’s name. They kept strong in protecting their sisters and daughters and fought for Khalistan courageously. They would jokingly play with death and never thought of it as a loss. Bhai Sahib also recited Gurbani and the shine of it could be seen on his face. Bhai Sahib’s family had forcefully got Bhai Sahib engaged, but Bhai Sahib had already married his martyrdom.
The arrest
After joining his Jhujaru brothers on the battlefield, the Indian security forces started to harass and torture the family members of Bhai Sahib which led to them going into hiding. The family had sold their home in Patti and started living on Amritsar’s Sultanwind Road. The police did not know about this house, and by then most of Bhai Sahib’s Jhujaru brothers had attained martyrdom. In year 1992, when the government of Congress’s Beant Butcher came, Punjabi’s were too afraid to give passage of or place to rest to the Jhujaru Singhs. As this would result in the Punjab police targeting the supporters of Khalistan and their belongings also. The black cats and the police informants had been encouraged by the Punjab government to lay their traps all over Punjab to capture or kill Jhujaru Singhs. The great leaders of the Khalistan movement, such as Jathedar Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala KLF, Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar BK, Bhai Kanwarjit Singh Sultanwind KCF, Bhai Rashpal Singh Chhandran BTFK, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal BTFK had all attained martyrdom by now due to informants and black cats.
The Jhujaru Singh of Kang village, Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga had been presented to the police by the Akali Dal leader, Alvinder Singh Pakhoke, as his family were extremely being harassed by the police. After the voluntary arrest of Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga, the police stepped up the search of Bhai Sahib in the Patti and Tarn Taran areas, raiding the homes of his relatives in search for him. SSP Ajit Sandhu, DSP Dilbagh Singh and Thanedar Gulzar Chand were doing everything their power to capture Bhai Sahib dead or alive.
In the end, Bhai Sahib was arrested at 5am from a house near Toot Sahib Gurdwara. After being arrested, Bhai Sahib was taken in a DCM truck to Tarn Taran. When the police arrested Bhai Sahib under the command of Thanedar Gulzar Chand, Bhai Sahib’s sister Bibi Paramjit Kaur along with family members and local villagers tried to wrestle and free Bhai Sahib but were unsuccessful due to heavy number of police officers.
Martyrdom
Upon his arrest, Bhai Sahib was brutally tortured. The cruel police had pulled out his nails of hands and feet and he was electrocuted, this was done to get information on other Jhujaru Singhs and their weapons stash. This inhumane torture lasted 3 days and after Bhai Sahib was taken to the police station of Kang village, where Bhai Sahib’s family would come daily and try their best to get bail for Bhai Sahib. The police continued to say, “After we have spoken to him, we will let him go or send him to jail. Don’t worry about anything.”
But the following day when Bhai Lakhbir Singh read the front page of Ajit newspaper, in which it was reported that Bhai Sahib along with 5 other Jhujaru Singh have been killed in an encounter with the Indian security forces. On 30th June 1993, the Punjab police took Bhai Sahib, Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga, Bhai Pritpal Singh, Bhai Manjit Singh and another unknown Singh to the riverside of Bhullar village and killed them in a false encounter.
On the morning of 30th June 1993, before Bhai Sahib was taken out of his jail cell, he knew that the police will make a him a martyr shortly and he was seen reciting Sri Sukhmani Sahib as he had memorized the prayer. When the police took the 5 Singhs to the location of the encounter, the police officer said, “Boys, run now if you can.” But Bhai Sahib replied, “I’m not running anywhere, you do what you have too. I have recited my Kirtan Sohila already.”
Just few moments before the Singhs were made martyrs, three of the Singhs tried to run away to save their lives but the police shot them in their backs. Watching the martyrdom of the 3 Singhs, Bhai Sahib and Bhai Tarsem Singh Bagga did not get scared. Both of the Singhs were already wounded from the brutal torture that police had carried out on them. Both Jhujaru brothers had the energy to roar like lion the slogans of ‘BOLE SO NIHAL SAT SRI AKAAL’ and ‘KHALISTAN ZINDABAD’ as the police fired bullets at them and made them martyrs.
Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Kashmir Singh Sheera
