Shaheed Bhai Paramgurpreet Pal Singh Punia

Khalistan Commando Force

 

Mere Pind Di Oh Nehr Nu Suneha De Dayo,

Ki Mein Fir Taari Mavaya’ch Marh Ki Ni,

Mein Kujay Vich Aunga Swah Ban Ke.

 

These lyrics from a poem, explains the pain of thousands of Sikh families who have had their youths killed in fake police encounters. Similar story is of Shaheed Bhai Paramgurpreet Pal Singh Punia, who was born in the house of Master Dhian Singh and from the womb of Mata Gurmej Kaur in the year of 1966-67. Bhai Sahib was the youngest of 4 brothers and sisters. Bhai Sahib had 2 brothers and a sister. One of Bhai Sahib’s brother was Bhai Ajegurpreet Pal Singh alias Bebeki Singh, Lt Gen of Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan (Sheena) who attained shaheedi doing sewa of the panth.

As Bhai Sahib was the youngest in the household, he was loved by everyone. As well as being keen in studies and sports, Bhai Sahib was mischievous child also. Bhai Sahib would at times go to the river for a swim which was very dangerous as it was flowing river, and if Bhai Sahib’s father was passing by the river he would go under water and stay there until his father had passed to avoid being spotted. Due to Bhai Sahib’s respectful and lovable nature, even the local youngsters and elders adored Bhai Sahib. After finishing his higher secondary education, Bhai Sahib took admission into the Punjab University, Chandigarh. Bhai Sahib was a great painter, once Bhai Sahib made a painting which he didn’t like and threw it away, but one of his friends took the painting and submitted the painting in a contest under his name. Bhai Sahib’s painting was the 1st prize at the contest, reward was given to his friend who submitted it. The friend came to Bhai Sahib’s house to give him the reward the painting had won but Bhai Sahib did not accept it. Bhai Sahib had received numerous prizes for his art work.

Even at Punjab University Chandigarh, Bhai Sahib topped all his subjects for graduation. In 1988-89 the Punjab police was at its peak in harassing and killing Sikh youths in Punjab. Bhai Sahib’s older brother, Bhai Ajegurpreet Pal Singh alias Bebeki Singh and the son of his Bhua, Bhai Gurlaat Singh Fauji were amongst the top Jhujaru Singhs of Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan and for this reason the police started harassing Bhai Sahib and his family on daily basis. Master Dhian Singh decided to send his son, Bhai Sahib to Germany to avoid getting caught up in this killings of innocent Sikhs by the police. In 1989 Bhai Sahib went to Germany.

From 1989 to 1992 Bhai Sahib stayed in Germany. Even from Germany Bhai Sahib remained in contact with his Jhujaru brothers of Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan and did sewa secretly. In 1992 Bhai Sahib decided to join his Jhujaru brothers on the battlefield. Bhai Sahib left the luxurious life of Germany and came to Pakistan, where he met Bhai Paramjit Singh Panjwar Chief of Khalistan Commando Force. Bhai Sahib became very Bhai Paramjit Singh Panjwar and after receiving his training Bhai Sahib started taking part in the Sikh Freedom Movement. Because of Bhai Sahib’s fitness and intelligence, he was very well respected amongst the Jhujaru Singhs. As well as concentrating on exercise, he also paid attention to Gurbani meditation. In 1993 when Bhai Sahib’s older brother Bhai Ajegurpreet Pal Singh attained shaheedi, he was in Pakistan. This news had a deep impact on Bhai Sahib.

While in Pakistan, Bhai Sahib came in contact with some warriors of Sikh Freedom Movement such as Dr Pritam Singh Sekhon of Khalistan Liberation Force, Bhai Wadhawa Singh of Babbar Khalsa, Bhai Mehal Singh Babbar and Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara. Bhai Sahib had found a place in the hearts of these Jhujaru Singhs. in 1995 Bhai Sahib along with 15-20 other Jhujaru Singhs came to India to do a big action but something else had been planned for them. Due to betrayal of some traitors, Bhai Sahib and fellow singhs walked right into a trap of the Indian security forces. Bhai Sahib and other Jhujaru Singhs were kept at different interrogation centres and blindly tortured by the police. After that no information of Bhai Sahib or his whereabouts came to light. Maybe after the inhumane torture, all the singhs may have been killed in fake encounters. No news of their torture or shaheedi was given to their families. There are thousands of mothers just like Mata Gurmej Kaur who till today are waiting for their sons to return home.

Barjinder Singh Shergill – Germany