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Introduction
One of the most famous and effective Khalsa generals to have
taken part in the Sikh Liberation Movement was Bhai Avtar
Singh Brahma. The name of “Brahma” used to strike terror into
the hearts of Indian Security Forces. Bhai Brahma also had a
very special relationship with Canadian and other Western
Singhs who had gone to fight for Sikh Freedom. Bhai Avtar
Singh was a true Nihang Singh of Guru Gobind Singh and when
the Panth needed his head, he was prepared to make the
sacrifice.
Early
Life
Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma was born in 1951 in village Brahmpura,
which falls in the Tarn Taran area of Amritsar district. Bhai
Brahma’s parents were S. Sohan Singh and Mata Chanan Kaur.
Bhai Avtar Singh was the youngest of four brothers. His three
elder brothers, S. Balkar Singh, S. Sadha Singh and S. Hardev
Singh continue to live in the village and farm for a living.
Bhai Avtar Singh completed his early education until the fifth
grade in the village primary school. After this, he began to
work in the family’s farm.
In 1966, Baba Daya Singh jee from the Sursingh Nihang Jatha
(Baba Bidhi Chand Dal) came to village Lohar along with his
Singhs. There was a week long Gurmat Smagam in which there was
an Akhand Paath Sahib, gatka demonstrations and finally at the
end, an amrit sinchaar. Bhai Avtar Singh and his brother Bhai
Sadha Singh worked until noon time one day and then decided to
go to nearby village Lohar to see the gatka. Bhai Avtar Singh
was so impressed that he decided to become amritdhari at the
amrit sinchaar being held. After this, Bhai Avtar Singh began
to live a strict Gursikhi jeevan and stayed with the Bidhi
Chand Dal. He would only occasionally take a leave from the
Dal to meet with his family and parents.
The Jathedar of Bhai Bidhi Chand Dal, Baba Daya Singh, saw the
seva and simran of Bhai Avtar Singh and because he was also
from village Brahmpura, began to call him Bhai Brahma Singh.
After this Bhai Avtar Singh began to be called either Bhai
Brahma Singh or Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma.
With the Nihang
Singhs
 Bhai
Avtar Singh used to do seva in the langar and also took care
of the Dal’s horses. Bhai Avtar Singh was a master of Shastar
Vidiya. He could do a gatka demonstration for two hours
straight, all by himself. Bhai Avtar Singh was also famous for
being able to ride on two horses at once and then stand up,
with one leg on each. He would even do a demonstration in
which he would lie down on the backs of two horses and have
them run at top speed. Bhai Avtar Singh was a master of all
weapons including swords, spears, pistols and even rocket
launchers.
Once, Baba Daya Singh was talking with Baba Bishan Singh,
Jathedar of Tarna Dal (Baba Bakala) when they began to discuss
an article in the newspaper which said that a French horse
rider had such skill that he could race a horse at full speed
and be able to spear a target on the ground with a lance at
the same time. The Singhs began to discuss if this was even
possible, when Bhai Avtar Singh entered the conversation. Bhai
Brahma had been sitting quietly but then spoke up and said “If
the Frenchman can do that, then a Guru ka Singh can ride TWO
horses while standing and do the same thing.”
The Singhs were surprised by this claim and challenged Bhai
Avtar Singh to prove it. Bhai Avtar Singh brought two horses
and while riding one, held the reigns of the other. He began
to race the horses and when they had reached top speed, he
stood up on both. Bhai Brahma with his neja (spear) then
pierced a stake in the ground, which was placed as his target,
and threw it up into the air. Everyone watching was amazed at
the skill and after this incident, Bhai Avtar Singh became
very well known not just among the Nihang Dals, but also
amongst the common villagers.
Meeting Baba
Jarnail Singh
 Baba
Daya Singh Sursinghvale and Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
were very close and the two used to meet quite often. Baba
Jarnail Singh had begun the Dharam Yudh Morcha to fight for
Sikh rights and this movement had become very popular amongst
the Sikh youth. Baba Jarnail Singh’s words had spurred Sikh
pride and revived the Sikh spirit in Punjab. Bhai Avtar Singh
too heard Baba Jarnail Singh speak and felt the urge to help
free the Sikh people from the clutches of the Brahmin
government.
Sree Darbaar Sahib had been surrounded by now and it was clear
that the government was preparing for a fight. On May 30,
1984, Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma and Bhai Amreek Singh JauRa
decided that as Khalsa warriors, it was their duty to fight
for Sikh freedom. They asked for leave from Baba Daya Singh
and after saying their final Fateh to the other Singhs in the
Jatha, left Sursingh for Sree Darbaar Sahib.
Bhai Avtar Singh and Bhai Amreek Singh went directly to Sree
Akaal Takhat Sahib and presented themselves to Baba Jarnail
Singh. With Baba jee were other Singhs such as Baba Thara
Singh, Bhai Amrik Singh, Bhai Durga Sigh, Bhai Major Singh
Nagoke, etc. Bhai Avtar Singh explained that they had come to
defend Sree Darbaar Sahib and give their Shaheedee. After some
discussion, Baba Jarnail Singh addressed the Singhs and said,
“Your Shaheedee here will not be of as much value is it could
be. The army has surrounded us and is ready to attack. Who
knows what will happen in a few days? Go back to your villages
and do simran. When the time is right, Singhs will come get
you themselves. I am sending some other Singhs out of the
complex today as well to continue the struggle after us.
Jathedar Durga Singh will come get you when the time is right.
You must go now so that the fight can continue…”
Bhai Avtar Singh and Bhai Amreek Singh returned to their
villages and waited. Three days later, the Indian Government
attacked Sree Darbaar Sahib along with 37 other Gurdwaras.
Thousands of Sikhs were butchered and Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib
was destroyed.
The Next Phase
Baba Jarnail Singh had prepared for the next phase of the
battle. Singhs like Bhai Durga Singh, Bhai Manbir Singh
ChaheRu, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Bhai Sukhdev Singh
Sakhira, Bhai AruR Singh, Bhai Gurdev Singh Usman Vala, etc.
had been sent out of the complex to organize the resistance.
As promised, Bhai Durga Singh came and met Bhai Avtar Singh
Brahma. A meeting had been organized in which a new
Jathebandee, the “Khalistan Liberation Force” was created. The
central Singhs of this jathebandee were Bhai Durga Singh, Bhai
Kuldeep Singh Muchhal, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Vakeel, Bhai AruR
Singh and Bhai Gurdev Singh.
Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma was an active Sikh fighter but when
Bhai Arur Singh was captured by the Police and then martyred,
Bhai Brahma rose to prominence as he was appointed the next
Jathedar of Khalistan Liberation Force.
War on Invaders
 Indian
Security Forces had now flooded Punjab. The Central Army,
Central Reserve Police Force, National Guard, Border Security
Force, RAW, etc. had been deployed in full force in Punjab.
These outsiders already had a dislike for Sikhs and now as
they began to roam the villages and roads of Punjab, took
special pleasure in humiliating Sikhs. Rapes became common and
the sight of jeeps filled with soldiers became an all too
regular terror.
Bhai Avtar Singh decided that these invading forces had to be
taught a lesson. It was decided by the Jathebandee that a
direct war should be waged. When CRPF, BSF or Army jeeps would
come on a round,
the Singhs would attack. The jeep was either stopped by a bomb
and then showered with bullets or simply surrounded by Singhs.
In one instance, in village Baler, Bhai Brahama and the other
Singhs surrounded a CRPF jeep. The CRPF men tried to flee
while firing their guns, but were shot dead. The Singhs
stripped them of their weapons and ammunition. The CRPF was
furious. They went to village Baler and arbitrarily shot two
farmers, Chatter Singh and Hazara Singh. To hide their
ineptitude, the CRPF told reporters that in a major encounter,
the CRPF men had been killed but they had also managed to
shoot two “terrorists”. Bhai Avtar Singh sent a personal
message to the newspapers and made clear that those who had
been shot were innocent and not part of the Sikh Resistance.
The CRPF was put to shame.
Where before the Indian Security Forces patrolled the streets
to terrorize the Sikh villagers, it was now their turn to be
terrorized. The Jeeps stopped patrolling many areas. Sikh
fighters began to conduct their own patrols and entire areas
of the Punjab were under the Khalsa’s control.
A Newspaper Report
Newspapers began to carry reports of the new Sikh rule and the
powerlessness of the Indian Forces. One article carried the
following report: “Accompanied by the district flood committee
members, the Deputy Commissioner began his tour from Harike on
the banks of the Sutlej downstream. As the convoy of vehicles
containing all the officials was a little short of the last
vulnerable point of the Indian side on the river, the team
spotted three “babas” (a term used for terrorists) walking in
the barata (sandy island on the river course).
Initially, there was panic as not many had actually seen a
terrorist in real life. The three terrorist who had draped
shawls around themselves obviously seemed to be carrying arms
and were coming in from across the border as beyond that point
was alien land.
On seeing the vehicles and the security personnel accompanying
the DC, the three did not try to flee but just sat down.
According to some, they took up positions.
An accompanying Superintendent of Police from Tarn Taran,
Dharam Singh, took a few men and advanced towards the
terrorists in an attempt to scare them, but the officials of
the Irrigation and Drainage Department present suggested they
avoid any provocation as very often repair work was being
carried out in these areas and if the terrorist were harmed
their accomplices would get even with these officials. The SP
therefore came back and the plan to go any further for
inspection was also dropped.
All this while, the three terrorists were sitting on the
banks, but the moment the vehicles reversed to leave, they got
up and began to cross the river, seemingly in a haughty mood.”
The report also says that Sikh fighters “have also set up
their own check points and persons who have to go beyond those
points to work in their farms are frisked b them”. It
concludes with the story of a CRPF patrol being intercepted by
a tractor driven by Sikh fighters and the patrol being fired
upon.
As jeeps upon jeeps of Indian Security Forces were beginning
to be destroyed, and many areas becoming inaccessible to
Indian Security, the Hindustani government was afraid that
Punjab was fast slipping away.
Smear Campaign
 Bhai
Avtar Singh Brahma was becoming more and more well known for
his operations against the Indian Government. Where his name
was regularly mentioned and discussed in Government meetings,
he had also become a folk hero in the Punjab. Village people
talked about his bravery and his ability to accomplish even
the most impossible of missions. For the police, every Singh
and every Nihang was starting to look like “Brahma”.
To discredit the Sikh Movement, the Indian Government had
introduced gangs of thieves and murderers who dressed like
Singhs but committed horrendous crimes upon innocent Sikh
villagers. Bhai Avtar Singh made it a priority to punish these
criminals.
Police Chief JF. Ribeiro met with his Captains and top
officers and expressed is frustration that reports were coming
that Brahma was called the King of the Mand area and the
common people were all helping him and even idolizing him. The
villagers would be beaten but even then they would not give
any information on Brahma or his companions. Ribeiro ordered
that Brahma should be discredited at all costs. Gangs should
call themselves “Brahma’s men” and extort money and harass
innocent people. People should come to hate the name “Brahma”.
They would then help the police capture him.
Principles
Ribeiro had underestimated Bhai Avtar Singh. Bhai Avtar Singh
did not tolerate extortions. When allegations were made
against KLF’s Lt. Gen. PahaaR Singh, Bhai Brahma did a
complete investigation and it was proven beyond a doubt that
PahaaR Singh had been harassing and extorting money from Sikh
families. Bhai Brahma himself shot PahaaR Singh dead and
warned the other Singhs that anyone caught harassing innocent
villagers or behaving inappropriately with women would be
given the same fate as the Lt. General.
Bhai Avtar Singh announced that if anyone was being harassed,
they should contact him and he would help them even at the
cost of his own life. Bhai Brahma declared, “Our guns are
pointed at those Police touts who torture Singhs and kill them
in fake encounters. We do not believe in spilling the blood of
any innocents. Our fight is against injustice, tyranny and
oppression. Whoever is part of this will not be able to escape
our sights.”
Bhai Avtar Singh kept a very close watch on politics and made
sure the corrupt Akali leadership. He sent them a warning that
under his watch, he would not let them commit treachery with
the Sikh people. The insincere Akalis became silent and
quietly passed the days cursing their fate for having had to
deal with someone as incorruptible as Bhai Avtar Singh. He
demanded the Sikh politicians be principled.
Encounter at
Manakpur
 Bhai
Avtar Singh was continuing his campaign against the invading
Hindustani forces. He was surrounded on many occasions but
would escape every time, bellowing insults and challenges at
the enemy. One of Bhai Brahma’s most famous encounters
occurred in village Manakpur. Bhai Avtar Singh and his fellow
Singhs were in the area when the CRPF were tipped off. A total
of 20 000 CRPF men flooded the Patti area and began closing in
on Manakpur. The Singhs were surrounded and decided the only
way out was through the ranks of the CRPF. The battle began
and so many bullets were cutting through the air that it
looked and sounded like a strong rain was falling. A bullet
cut through Bhai Avtar Singh’s right hand and severed his
right finger. Bhai Brahma was a Singh of the Bhai Bidhi Chand
Dal and he called upon Guru Hargobind Sahib to save him like
had once saved Bhai Bidhi Chand. It was as though Guru Sahib
was himself protecting his Singh. Bhai Avtar Singh’s clothes
and dastaar were marked by many bullet holes but his body was
not being touched. Although some of the Singhs with him were
martyred, Bhai Avtar Singh managed to break the cordon and
escaped into the dark of the night.
Bhai Avtar Singh would show people his dastaar and clothes
from that night and point out the countless bullet marks.
People would be amazed and remark that Guru Sahib keeps his
Singh today, just like he did in the past. Bhai Avtar Singh
was convinced that he had escaped this time only so that he
could continue his seva of fighting for Sikh liberation.
Inspiring Canadian
and Western Sikhs
Bhai Avtar Singh’s exploits were now famous not only in all of
Punjab and India, but also in the West. He had become a Sikh
Robin Hood and every Punjabi would wait for the weekly
newspaper to read about his adventures.
Many Sikh in the West were so inspired by Bhai Avtar Singh,
that they decided to join him in the Movement. Bhai Avtar
Singh supervised a training camp in which Indian Sikhs as well
as Western Sikhs were given guerilla training. The recruits
would then sneak back into India and join the fight. Bhai
Avtar Singh preferred to stay on the battlefield in Punjab but
used to go to the training camps at regular intervals as well.
Bhai Avtar Singh served as a personal mentor to many of these
Singhs.
Some of the more prominent Singhs to have gone and joined the
fight from the West and then later become Shaheed were Bhai
Harjinder Singh PaRa, a high school student from Toronto, Bhai
Balbir Singh Sakheera from Calgary, Bhai Mohinder Singh Khalsa,
Toronto, Bhai Bhupinder Singh BC, Bhai Hardev Singh “Bapu” UK,
and Bhai Surinder Singh Ravi, Toronto. Each story deserves an
article to itself and will be written at a later time.
Punishing Thanedar
Chhiboo Ram
 Shiv
Singh was the Thanedar of village Chola Sahib in the Tarn
Taran area. Although he looked like a Sikh, Chhiboo was
passionately opposed to the Sikh movement and the people
became to call him Chhiboo Ram. Chhiboo was from a backward
class and in his newfound position of authority, took special
pleasure in intimidating others. He was known as the most
foul-mouthed police officer in Punjab and did not care about
anyone’s honour, age or position. If someone rang their
bicycle’s bell or the horn of a truck or car in the village
bazaar, Chhiboo would slap them and release a barrage of foul
curses.
The villagers in the area all were fans of Bhai Avtar Singh
and talked amongst themselves about Brahma’s courage and
ability. Many used to say that it would be a good day when
Brahma finally met Chhiboo Ram and punished him for his
crimes. Bhai Avtar Singh had heard about Chhiboo but said that
he should be allowed to enjoy his power for awhile since he
was after all from a socially low class.
Chhiboo used to tell him men to be on the lookout for Bhai
Avtar Singh and boasted that by killing such a wanted
terrorist, he would be promoted to Captain by Ribeiro.
One day, Thanedar Chhiboo Ram was sitting in a tea stall with
other police officers when he began to abuse them. He said,
“You bastards…you’re a bunch of donkeys. You can’t even get a
clue about Brahma?” A policeman replied, “Sir, people are
crazy about Brahma, no one gives any information about him.”
Chhibbo replied, “You idiots, let the villagers make their own
alcohol (an illegal act) and don’t interfere. Offer them
bribes and tell them they can enjoy life if they have Brahma
killed. Just watch how fasted the take our little Brahmee and
present him to us. You people harass the villagers and take
their money, that’s why they like Brahma.”
Jathedar Durga Singh was also sitting in the tea stall at the
same time, dressed in village clothing: a long kurta, chaadra
and a messy dastaar. He overheard the policemen talking and
approached them with an offer. He said, “Sir, give this job to
me. I’ll quickly arrange for you to meet Brahma. You can then
capture him yourselves. I want you to remember me but keep my
identity a secret. I want to collect the bounty on Brahma’s
head for turning him in, so I don’t want to be cheated
either.”
Thaneder Chhiboo Ram became excited and said, “Jatta, you let
me meet Brahma and then your reard will be certain. The Police
Chief will give you a letter of tribute and then you can go to
any police station in Punjab and they will give you a seat of
honour. The government will take care of your every need for
the rest of your life.”
The Jat got up from his seat and promised to arrange the
meeting soon. As he left, Chhiboo Ram was dreaming of the
stars that would appear on his arm if he was successful in
killing Brahma. He would become nothing less than a DSP.
Jathedar Durga Singh returned to the hideout where Bhai Avtar
Singh and the other Singhs were staying and announced, “Today
I promised to give Thanedar Shiv Singh Chhiboo the darshan of
Jathedar Avtar Singh Brahma. Singho, get ready because Chhiboo
is very anxious to meet Bhai Brahma.”
Bhai Avtar Singh changed into a kurta pyjama and tied a
regular dastaar. He picked a team of Singhs to join him for
his “meeting”. The Singhs that would come with him were
Jathedar BohaR Singh, Bhai Pippal Singh, Bhai Gurdev Singh
Usmanvala, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Vakeel and Bhai Karnail Singh
DC. The Singhs devised their plan and moved out.
Bhai Surinder Singh Shinda went to the police station and
asked to meet with Chhiboo Ram. He told the Thanedar that he
had been sent by the person he had met at the tea stall. He
said that Brahma Nihang was on the road to Sarhali and it
seemed that he had no weapons on him. Surinder Singh explained
to Chhiboo Ram that the person he met at the tea-stall would
meet him on the road and point Brahma out to him. Bhai
Surinder Singh also explained that this was a great
opportunity since it wouldn’t require many police officers to
catch a defence-less Brahma.
Chhiboo Ram was jumping with joy that finally he would get
Brahma and that too empty handed. He along with four other
policemen commandeered a jeep and drove to Sarhali. When they
reached a bridge near Sarhali, they saw in front of them Bhai
Avtar Singh and Jathedar Durga Singh blocking the way. The
Singhs with them were all sitting in their positions. Bhai
Durga Singh motioned for the jeep to stop. He walked to the
jeep and announced, “Thanedar Sahib, before you stands General
Brahma. Take a good look. Do you like what you see?” Bhai
Durga Singh then immediately ran to the side and the Singhs,
with shouts of jaikaras, opened fire on the jeep. Chhiboo Ram
was riddled with bullets and the driver of the jeep was killed
as well. The remaining police officers were all badly injured
and the Singhs removed their arms and ammunition and made
their getaway.
The next day, newspapers reported an encounter at the bridge
in which the Chola Sahib head of police, Shiv Singh had been
killed along with 2 others. Four police officials were
injured. The security forces surrounded the area but were
unable to capture anyone. The Singhs slipped back into the
swamps of the Mand. The legend of Bhai Brahma was growing.
Operation
Mand
 Bhai
Avtar Singh Brahma’s operations were becoming more and more
daring each day and they even became a topic of discussion in
India’s Home Ministry. Bhai Brahma was considered “King of the
Mand” and so it was decided to send the Indian Forces there to
search for him. Police Chief Ribeiro assigned “Operation Mand”
to the new IG of the CRPF in Punjab, KP Gill.
The date of the operation was set for July 1986. The police
expected many Sikh Fighters to come to the Mand for meetings
during the local festival for Baba Dargahi Shah. This festival
was attended by people of all faiths and the Singhs too
gathered during this time to make plans. The Mand was a
marshy, forested area that the police could not access, so the
CRPF and Punjab Police were deployed in the thousands to
surround the area. Ribeiro was certain that Bhai Avtar Singh
and his fellow Singhs were in the area and now because of the
cordon, could not escape. But still, the problem remained that
the security forces could not go in en masse and they were too
afraid to go in small groups. The solution chosen was to send
in army helicopters to seek and kill the Sikh fighters.
CRPF men climbed aboard two helicopters and began to search
for Bhai Brahma’s hideout. The helicopters began to hover
lower to the ground and below them were hiding Jathedar Durga
Singh and his men. The Singhs opened fire on the helicopter
with such force and volume that it crashed in flames into the
marsh. The pilot and all the CRPF men were killed on impact.
The Singhs shouted jaikaray and trained their sights on the
next helicopter. The pilot had seen what had happened to his
companion and decided his mission was impossible. After trying
to avoid fire for a short while, he decided to go back to
base. Of all the forces surrounding the area, no one had the
courage to enter and attempt to rescue the men who had gone
down with the helicopter.
As night fell, the Singhs, who were familiar with the area,
made their escape. The CRPF and Punjab Police had been
completely frustrated and to avoid embarrassment, arrested
some farmers who lived around the Mand and claimed Brahma’s
men had been captured. The next day’s newspapers carried a
statement from the CRPF that one of their helicopters had
collided with a tall tree and crashed, resulting in the death
of the pilot and the men aboard.
Years later, Ribeiro in his autobiography, “Bullet for Bullet”
(1998) wrote, “KPS Gill had been inducted as IG, CRPF, in
charge of Punjab operations. He was an excellent operations
man and it was he who conceived and planned the Mand
operation. We faced some criticism from the press since not a
single terrorist was caught in the operation” (pg. 283).
Brahmpura Nightmare
The police were completely frustrated by Bhai Avtar Singh.
They began to take their frustration out on the entire village
of Brahmpura. Bhai Avtar Singh’s brothers were special targets
of the police but no one was spared. An entire platoon of the
CRPF was placed in the village school to terrorize the area.
When Bhai Brahma heard about the police excesses, he decided
to do something about it. On December 27, 1986 Bhai Brahma and
his fellow Singhs entered Brahmpura around midnight. He went
to the Gurdwara and after offering his respects, turned on the
roof speaker. Bhai Avtar Singh took the microphone and
announced, “Residents of Brahmpura, I am your Avtar Singh
speaking. I know that the CRPF is harassing you because of me
and asking you to tell them my whereabouts. I challenge the
CRPF: if you have the courage, come and get Avtar Singh
Brahma. There’s no bravery in bothering the innocent villagers
here. Let’s have a contest of bravery today and satisfy
ourselves. You have weapons and so do we. Let’s have a real
encounter tonight and in the morning you can count how many of
your men the Singhs have mowed down. Come on CRPF-valio! You
are proud of the strength of Delhi and it’s army and we are
proud of our Guru. We are Guru Gobind Singh’s sons and we can
fight 125 000 alone.”
Bhai Avtar Singh had been heard through the entire vilalge. He
waited a while and seeing no response, began again,
“CRPF-valio! Come out of your quarters! Brahma, a Sikh of the
Guru is waiting for you. The Brahma you couldn’t find in the
Mand is now waiting for you! I don’t believe in spilling the
blood of innocents and I don’t attack those without weapons.
I’m here to meet you now. CRPF-valio, you can meet me any way
and any time. Give up your bothering of innocents and come in
front of Brahma and satisfy your desire to prove your bravery!
Bolay So Nihaal! Sat Sree Akaal!!! Vaahiguru Jee Ka Khalsa
Vaahiguru Jee Kee Fateh!”
For a full 25 minutes Bhai Avtar Singh challenged the CRPF on
the speaker and waited for over an hour for them to come out.
Not a single person came. The Singhs, seeing that no one was
brave enough to face them, left the village while bellowing
jaikaraas.
Even after the Singhs had left, the terrified CRPF platoon
cowered in their base. When they were sure that Brahma had
left, they came out. They had been shamed in front of the
entire village. The CRPF went berserk and decided to take
revenge on the Sikh villagers. Families were dragged out of
their houses and the women were raped. One woman had her ear
bitten off by a crazed CRPF officer.
Five women were brought together and their clothes were ripped
off. One younger girl ran naked to save herself and spent the
rest of the cold December night hiding in the bushes.
The entire Sikh population of Punjab was horrified and shocked
and news of this night of terror even became international. It
was demanded that action be taken against the guilty CRPF.
Even Ribeiro admitted that what had happened was disgusting
and publicly apologized but in his autobiography, he writes,
“KPS Gill was then IG of the CRPF. He was not willing to take
any action against his men. He approached the home ministry in
Delhi to ensure that sanction was not accorded for criminal
prosecution. Finally, the Government of India did not sanction
the prosecution.” The guilty CRPF battalion was removed and
replaced with another. This was the greatness of Indian
justice. KP Gill was later appointed DGP of Punjab Police
because of his ruthless mentality.
Renewed Efforts
Bhai Avtar Singh and his fellow Singhs decided to give the
Brahmpura incident a suitable reply. CRPF bases were attacked
with rockets and blown apart. Bhai Brahma and Jathedar Durga
Singh continued to take on all the invading forces and every
week news would come of a new guerrilla attack and whole
companies being destroyed. The people were all crazy about
Brahma and gave him their complete support.
The Final
Battle
 Bhai
Brahma, when leaving the training camp for the final time had
told some Singhs near to him that he would not return. He knew
that his shahidi was fast approaching. That day finally
arrived on July 22, 1988.
Bhai Avtar Singh and his fellow Singhs, Bhai Surinder Singh
and Bhai Jarnail Singh DC were in Rajasthan near the Pakistan
border. They had decided to cross and were staying with a
Nihang Singh of the Sursingh Jatha. The Singhs approached the
border and as they were about to cross, were spotted by the
Border Security Force. The Singhs were surrounded but fought
their way out. Again, on a tip, the BSF surrounded them a
little distance away and once again the Singhs escaped.
Bhai Avtar Singh and his fellow Singhs were still on the move
when they were surrounded a third time. Bhai Brahma knew that
their ammunition was close to exhausted and he ordered the
Singhs that they should escape but in no case should the fall
into the hands of the BSF. Bhai Avtar Singh took a position in
a green field and held the BSF back as the Singhs broke the
cordon. Bhai Jarnail Singh and Bhai Surinder Singh were
successful and managed to escape.
 The
BSF now focused on the field and showered it with bullets.
Bhai Brahma was struck in the stomach but despite the pain,
continued to battle. The BSF did not have the courage to
approach the lone tiger and even in his wounded state, Bhai
Brahma was proving deadly. Finally the shooting stopped and
the BSF approached the body. As they did to every shahid
Singh, they ripped Bhai Brahma's dastaar from his head and
stripped off his clothes and took his body to the police
station. They were so terrified of the Legend of Brahma, that
they could not be assured that this was really him.
Photographs of the body were sent to Punjab but no one could
confirm the idenity. The Singhs too did not confirm that their
General had been martyred. Newspapers debated whether Bhai
Brahma was alive or dead and the security forces too could not
believe that Brahma had fallen. Only when Bhai Bhupinder Singh
Canadian was arrested and he identified the body from pictures
did the police finally know for sure that they had got their
man. Bhai Bhupinder Singh was also later killed in a fake
encounter.
Aftermath
An Akhand Paath Sahib in the memory of Bhai Avtar Singh was
held in village Brahmpura. Baba Daya Singh, Jathedar of Baba
Bidhi Chand Dal hoisted a nishaan sahib in his memory. The
Jathebandi appointed Bhai Gurdeep Singh Vakeel as the next
Jathedar of the KLF.
Bhai Avtar Singh had left behind a strong and principled Jatha
of Singhs who continued to be a nightmare for the Indian
government.
Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma was a legend in the Punjab and during
his lifetime, whole areas of the Punjab had become sovereign.
Bhai Sahib’s firm Gurmat principles won the hearts of the
people and struck terror into the hearts of the Hindustani
forces. As time passed, such Singhs became more and more rare
and the movement slowed down and finally stopped. May Guru
Sahib send us another Brahma in today’s desperate times.
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