Shaheed Bhai Virsa Singh Sursingh

Khalistan Liberation Force

 

Nihang Singhs have from the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji faught against the tyrants. At the time of the Sikh Gurus, the tyrants were the Mughals and in the present struggle, the tyrants are the Indian government who are oppressing the Sikhs and denying them their identity. Nihang Singhs gave unlimited Shaheediyan for the Khalsa Panth and other faiths also, but in the present Sikh struggle only a few Nihang Singhs have stuck to their traditions of fighting against oppression, Nihang Singhs like Jathedar Avtar Singh Brahma, Jathedar Talwinder Singh Babbar, Jathedar Manbir Singh Chaheru, Bhai Surinder Singh Sodhi, Bhai Madha Singh Babbar, Bhai Amrik Singh Jaura and amongst these martyrs is the name of Bhai Virsa Singh, the first shaheed of Sursingh, have kept the Nihang tradition alive.

Bhai Virsa Singh was born in the house of Sardar Harnam Singh in the village of Sursingh, district Amritsar. In 1980, Bhai Sahib left his studies of 7th class and joined the Bidhi Chand Nihang Dal under Jathedar Baba Daya Singh Ji. Bhai Sahib continued to do sewa at this Nihang Dal till 1984. While at Bidhi Chand Nihang Dal, Bhai Sahib learned his Gurbani Santhaya, horse riding, Shastar Vidiya and archery. In the Jorh Mela events across Punjab, Bhai Sahib would show his skills by riding 2 horses while standing at the same time.

In June 1984, the Indian government attacked Sri Harimandir Sahib with tanks and cannons. Many innocent pilgrims were killed, the Indian army showed no mercy to the children, women and elders. If the Jhujaru Singhs did not defend their faith during this attack then the Indian government would have attacked the complex on every occasion. Witnessing the attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and the Sikh genocide on the streets of India, Bhai Sahib felt the need to stand up and defend Sikhi by fighting the Indian tyrants. Bhai Sahib joined Khalistan Liberation Force under the command of Jathedar Aroor Singh.

It wasn’t long after joining Khalistan Liberation Force, that Bhai Sahib started carrying out actions and punishing the traitors and enemies of the Sikh panth. One of the first actions Bhai Sahib did was assassinating the traitor of the Sikhs who had innocent Singhs arrested and killed, Pitambar Das was the Sarpanch of Gharinda. Bhai Sahib also attacked Fakir Chand and Puran Chand, killing them both in Chola Sahib and wounding another. One of the biggest assassinations Bhai Sahib carried out was on the 10th September 1986, of ASI Shiv Singh, who would kill innocent Sikhs and rape women. As well as carrying out assassinations, Bhai Sahib and his group did not let the CRPF or BSF have a peaceful sleep, their bases were continuously attacked by the Jhujaru Singhs. Once Bhai Sahib and group attacked a CRPF base killing 4 soldiers SI Kishan Lal, Constable Dharambir Singh, KV Nayar, Constable JS Kalitha and wounding another two. Bhai Sahib is also known for attacking the police station of Sarhali. After Bhai Sahib’s shaheedi, his group carried out the assassination of Hindu Communist Party’s Panjab State member, Comrade Deepak Dhawan on 19th May 1987. Bhai Sahib is also mentioned in the Mand area for taking down an Indian army helicopter as it searched for Jhujaru Singhs. Bhai Sahib shot the fuel tank of the helicopter making it crash into the jungles of Mand. Bhai Sahib also freed two innocent singhs who were arrested by the Khalra police, by attacking the police station.

On 8th May 1987, Bhai Sahib was returning to his hideout from Amritsar after collecting the prints of Khalistan Liberation Force letter pads. A traitor from the village of Karmuwal informed the Punjab police of Bhai Sahib’s travel. The Punjab police surrounded Bhai Sahib near the Gurudwara Shaheeda and arrested him. Finally the day came that Bhai Sahib had been waiting for, the day of shaheedi. On 10th May 1987, Bhai Sahib was made shaheed in a fake encounter in the village of Nabipur. Upon hearing the shaheedi of Bhai Sahib, Jathedar Avtar Singh Brahma punished the traitor who was responsible for Bhai Sahib’s shaheedi and told the whole India that this will be the same fate of all the killers of the Sikhs.

Following day the State Newspaper printed this article:

Virsa Singh son of Harnam Singh residence of Sursingh Amritsar, Satnam Singh son of Vasakha Singh residence of Chakwalian Khemkaran and Mangal Singh son of Sarma Singh residence of Gejal Khemkaran were killed in a fierce encounter with Indian security force on 10th May 1987.

Jeevani written by family of Shaheed Bhai Virsa Singh Sursingh