Bhai Sukhdev Singh Dhand Kasel

Khalistan Armed Force

Bhai Sukhdev Singh was born on 25th November 1969 in the village of Dhand Kasel, district Amritsar, to Sardar Hardeep Singh and Mata Lakhwinder Kaur. Bhai Sahib got his primary education from Baba Budha Sahib Public School, and then went to Baba Budha Sahib College for his Bachelor’s degree. While in school, Bhai Sahib gave immense respect to all his professors, he had always been enthusiastic about learning, excelling in his studies and also having an interest in religious education, which led to Bhai Sahib taking Amrit from Panj Pyare at a young age.

While in college, Bhai Sahib placed first in a Gurbani competition and won a gold medal. As his love for gurbani grew, Bhai Sahib started feeling the need to serve the Sikh nation as well. Bhai Sahib was always willing to sacrifice his body, mind and wealth for those in pain. Bhai Sahib could never silently bear witness to oppression and atrocities, he had never been the type to sit back and watch injustices being carried out. During his freshmen year in college, Bhai Sahib became the leader of the Sikh Student Federation. Upon becoming the leader, he also became a person of interest (targeted/followed) for the Police. The Punjab Police would repeatedly arrest and torture him. Frustrated with the repeated torture by the police, Bhai Sahib decided to leave school and his home to devote his life to serving the Sikh struggle.

Bhai Sahib befriended Bhai Kuldeep Singh Muchal of Khalistan Liberation Force, however soon after their meeting Bhai Kuldeep Singh Muchal attained martyrdom. Later Bhai Sahib met Bhai Karaj Singh Thande of Bhindranwale Tigers Force of Khalistan and started playing a significant part in the struggle for Khalistan. Bhai Sahib was a man of honor who kept his word and spoke in a polite manner, he would try to see Waheguru in everyone and at the same time knew he had a responsibility in bringing evil doers to justice. Bhai Sahib’s interactions with people were straight forward as he never let caste, social status or religious biases get in the way. It is fair to say that Bhai Sahib was a modern-day Bhai Kanaiya Ji who saw good in all. Bhai Sahib helped numerous people, including assisting widowed women in getting remarried and settled. Bhai Sahib also inspired people to give up traditions that were breaking up society.

In 1988, the Indian government, once again attacked Sri Darbar Sahib while Bhai Sahib was inside. The army surrounded Sri Darbar Sahib from all sides and Bhai Sahib was arrested and taken to Central Jail of Amritsar. Bhai Sahib was released in 1991. While imprisoned, Bhai Sahib had met Bhai Chanchal Singh Udhoke. Upon Bhai Chanchal Singh Udhoke’s release, the group Khalistan Armed Force was formed and Bhai Sahib served as the Press Secretary. Bhai Sahib helped market the new group and started building ties with the media.

By now the government had put a bounty of 5 Lakh Rupees on Bhai Sahib’s head. One person forged a friendship with Bhai Sahib under false pretence and eventually told the police Bhai Sahib’s whereabouts to collect the reward. Once captured, Bhai Sahib went through immense torture by the Patiala police. However, during this time, Bhai Sahib didn’t waver, he endured, thinking of it as Waheguru’s Hukam (will of god). Finally on 4th January 1993, Bhai Sahib took martyrdom, as a direct result of the torture in police custody.  Bhai Sukhdev Singh personified the ideals of love, patience, sacrifice and a high code of conduct. Like the Puratan Gursikhs, Bhai Sahib would initiate everything with an Ardas, and dutifully adhered to his Nitnem and recitation of Gurbani. Bhai Sahib had an unwavering faith in Sikhi and Waheguru.

Sant Sipahi – January 1994