Eye Witness Account - Giani Puran Singh jee

As the days of June 1984 attack on Sri darbar sahib are approaching, I wish to share this article here of an eye witness account of Giani Puran Singh jee.


Eye Witness Account - Giani Puran Singh jee (Ex-Granthi Siree Darbar Sahib)

Today, Giani Sant Singh Maskeen has invited me to tell the story of 1984. On 5th June at 7.30 I went to Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji. There I saw, (had darshan of), Baba Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale. At that time bullets were flying about. After meeting Sant Ji, I went to Sri Darbar Sahib and carried the duty of Sodar Rehraas Sahib, which was supposed to be done by Giani Mohan Singh.

When I came out from Sri Akal Takht bullets were flying like mad. There were Singhs sitting at the front of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and I sat there with them. I said to them "Pyaare Gurmukho, please make sure Giani Mohan Singh does the duty of reading Sodar Rehras Sahib" and so they also made sure Sodar Rehras Sahib would be read from Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Normally at Sri Darbar Sahib Sodar Rehras Sahib starts 5 minutes earlier than Sodar Rehras Sahib read at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I wanted to make sure Giani Mohan Singh was okay, seeing that bullets were flying around. I ran to Sri Darbar Sahib like I never ran in my whole life. A bullet missed me and hit Darshani Deori (entrance).

I waited by the Darshani Deori, and took a breath for two minutes. Then I ran towards Sri Darbar Sahib. A bullet hit Sri Darbar Sahib. I managed to organise Sodar Rehras Sahib da Paath. Giani Mohan Singh was in Darbar Sahib at the time. There were 22 Singhs inside Sri Darbar Sahib. As soon as the end verses of Sodar Rehras were being read, bullets began to be fired at Sri Darbar Sahib. We obviously couldn’t take Guru Maharaj’s sawaari to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib for rest as usual. However, we did Sukhaasan of Guru Ji and took Guru Ji to the top floor of Sri Darbar Sahib. As soon as we did this (10pm) tanks came straight inside Sri Harmandar Sahib.

From the top of Sri Darbar Sahib we could see the whole city in flames. We were thinking of taking water out of the Sarovar (pool of nectar surrounding Sri Darbar Sahib) to put out the burning flames. Four tanks now came inside Sri Harmandar Sahib and they were setting fire to all the rooms in Parkarma (surrounding area of Sri Darbar Sahib). We could hear women crying, children looking for their mothers. The war was over, the army began to walk past Darshani Deori (the entrance gate to the bridge leading to Sri Darbar Sahib).

There were to my recollection 40-50 Singhs getting ready to fight the army. They were so brave that they carried on until they became Shaheed (martyred). Even when the ammunition finished they carried on.

They were fighting from 10pm till 4.30am, throughout which we stayed on the upper floor of Sri Darbar Sahib. We got Maharaj’s Saroop from upstairs at 4.30 and brought him downstairs. A Hukamnama (Sacred Edict) was taken then the Raagis (musicians) sang Aasa Ki Vaar. The Raagis weren’t with us all night. As soon as they finished their duty they left. All the Raagis were shot down and made shaheeds (martyrs) outside Darshan Deori, except for Raagi Bhai Amrik Singh Ji. In Sri Darbar Sahib Raagi Bhai Randhir Singh’s jatha was performing Aasa Ki Vaar. Bhai Avtar Singh, a member of his Jatha, was shot inside Sri Darbar Sahib by the army. The army was now firing from all four doors. As a result Guru Ji’s saroop was hit with a bullet. The bullet mark is still present in Maharaj’s Saroop. So we got the Saroop of Guru Ji that Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated, which is kept on the top floor and did Parkaash.

At 4pm the army were throwing gas grenades at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. They thought Singhs were still in Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, despite the bombings. Even after the bombings the Singhs were still firing, as a result gas grenades were now being used. They destroyed the whole place! At 4.30pm the officer said if they saw any survivors, they were ordered to kill them on the spot, be it a child, elderly man or elderly women. Whoever was seen was to be shot.

So the 22 singhs with us decided to get out of Sri Darbar Sahib. Giani Mohan Singh gave the message to the Singhs and said that if the army wanted the Singhs inside Sri Darbar Sahib, then they would have to send their men inside.

Three times this message was given to the army but the army said through the speakers that we should get out of Sri Darbar Sahib with our hands up. Giani Mohan Singh and I both thought if we were to get out of Sri Darbar Sahib with our hands up, we will be probably shot. We both felt that we would rather be martyred inside Sri Darbar Sahib. So we didn’t get out. We stayed inside from 4.30pm till 7.30pm. At 7.30pm two soldiers come to get us and one sewadar was also sent with them. We went towards the army. The officer said to his troops (via speakers) that no one must shoot at the Gianis. We got out of Darshan Deori and saw Sri Akal Takht Sahib. It was more or less a pile of bricks.

Some soldiers said to us "Sat Sri Akaal". The soldiers said: "We are Sikh, is there anything we can do for you?" We replied :"Get us out of here. We need to go to the toilet and we want some water. Why not send two Singhs to get the water?" The officer said: “No”. He said we couldn’t go out of Sri Darbar sahib. So we said at least let us go to the toilet, to which they agreed. On returning they demanded to know where Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Bhinderanwale was. We had no idea what they were on talking about. At this point "Bhinderanwale Zindabad" (Long live Bhindranwale) could be heard.

We said we were both inside Sri Darbar sahib, so we have no idea where he was. “You should know, you either killed them or released them,” I said. They said “We saw machine guns at the top of Sri Darbar Sahib.”.So I said, “No Singh fighter came into Sri Darbar Sahib nor did one bullet fly out from Sri Darbar Sahib”. They didn’t believe us. So anyway, I said to the officer that if there was a machine gun on the top some sandbags would be surrounding it as well. Eventually the officer said no bullet came out from inside Sri Darbar Sahib.

There were many Singhs who were killed and martyred lying all around us, so an officer got some white sheets from Sri Darbar Sahib and put them over the Shaheed (martyred) Singhs. They let us out on 7th June at 7.30pm. The army said “Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh and General Subegh Singh’s bodies have been confirmed.” I asked where they found Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale’s body. The ‘Sikh’ officer replied that Baba Jarnail Singh Ji’s body was found between the two Nishaan Sahibs outside Sri Akal Takht Sahib and that bodies of two other Singhs who were with Bhindranwale were found behind the Niishaan Sahib. However, they soon replied that they saw his body elsewhere. But they never showed us his body.

They didn’t show the body to anyone else. So Giani Mohan Singh and I went to our homes at 7.30pm. That is when they got Giani Sahib Singh involved. The army said the same thing about Baba Ji’s body being found to Giani Ji. Now, if they really did have Sant Ji’s body they would have shown it to us definitely.

They showed the weapons Sant Ji had and they showed us other Singhs that were killed. But they never showed Sant ji’s body. Many thousands of pilgrims were killed, but we saw just as many soldiers lying dead. It wasn’t a few soldiers rather in their hundreds. They could have taken Sant Jarnail Singh’s body to Delhi, but even they said that they never received any body.

On 7th June when we came back, Giani Sahib Singh (the Head Granthi Singh of Sri Darbar Sahib at that time) was with the army. The four Singhs had dug up a trench under the Ramgarhia bunga. Three amry troops went in, and they were pulled by the Singhs into the trench.

The soldiers told them to get out. The Singhs wanted a negotiator before anything would happen. So they called me to negotiate with them or otherwise they wouldn’t get out. I said if I was to negotiate, then don’t shoot the Singhs. To this they agreed. But the officer said we wont kill them here. I knew they would shoot them elsewhere and that if the Singhs were fired at while I was there, I would held prisoner by the Singhs. So the officer told me to find out if the three troops sent in were alive, especially the doctor with them and then he said “We'll forgive them.”

I began to speak to them via speakers. The Singhs said that they were willing to do what I told them to do. I asked if the military troops were alive. The Singhs said no military person was alive in their trench. The officer requested me to leave and the Singhs would be flushed out. They fought all day, all night. However, the army just couldn’t flush them out. Even when Giani Zail Singh (the President of India at the time) came to Sri Darbar Sahib, they were still fighting.

Giani Zail Singh was shot when crossing the firing line of the Singhs, however if the Singhs stopped firing then they would be martyred. But they didn’t know of anyone visiting Sri Darbar Sahib. It was turning dark. A colonel had a gun with him. His commander gave him the blessing to do the following which I witnessed myself. The colonel fitted some battery to the gun and began to fire at the Singhs. So the Singhs were apparently killed but we didn’t know if the colonel was alive or not. However, nothing happened to the Singhs, as they carried on firing. The army began to throw grenades. But an officer told me that they were not doing much, considering the Singhs were still firing. Then the army began to fire tear gas as obviously this would react with their eyes. One Singh got out the trench, as he was in agony, and was shot down by the army. And then the other Singhs went out to search for water and they were also shot down by the army.

This is the first time I have talked about my experiences with the Sangat.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Vaheguru Vaheguru!!

This account is a hard read. One cannot help but picture word to word when reading Giani Puran Singh's account. We forget how real this actually was and what happened with our Panth.

From the 1st of June till the 14th the Khalsa fought in Chardeekaala!!!
14 days against the worlds 3rd biggest army at that time


"Sawa lakh se ek laraoon
Tabe Gobind Singh Singh Nam Kahaoon"

That each brave Khalsa must fight with more than a million oppressors


Truth is stronger than a gun.
Millions can be defeated by one.

No doubt Giani Puran Singh did amazing Sewa during 1984 Saka but it is sad how he ended up in his later years when he was appointed the Jathedar of Siri Akal Takhat Sahib. Guru Sahib kirpa karan.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

i found another eye witness account by Giani Kirpal Singh jee. I've never read this one before until today whilst researching.

Giani Singh Sahib, the head Granth of Sri Darbar Sahib, had his residence in Shaheed Bunga Street on the back side of Sri Darbar Sahib. Indian forces had initiated their attack on Sri Darbar Sahib at 4:45 AM on the morning of June 4. Under the battle conditions and intense exchange of fire, Singh Sahib fulfilled his duties on June 5 until noon. However, on June 6 he was unable to attend to his duties. Other Giani Sahibans, including Giani Mohan Singh Ji and Giani Puran Singh Ji, were forced to remain inside, even after the completion of their regular duties on the evening of June 5. They simply could not leave the premises. The following is an excerpt from an interview by Harbir Singh Bhanwer with Singh Sahib Giani Sahib Singh.

HARBIR SINGH: When were you able to first return to Sri Darbar Sahib after Operation Bluestar and what were the conditions as you saw?

SINGH SAHIB: Giani Mohan Singh Ji and Giani Puran Singh Ji, accompanied by some soldiers, reached my house around 5:00 AM on June 7. They informed me that General Sahib had summoned me, and instructed me to get ready in 15 minutes to accompany them. I left escorted by the soldiers.
The Atta Mandi, Katdha Dal Singh and back anteroom (Deodhi) of Sri Darbar Sahib was full of soldiers. There were thousands of soldiers everywhere. We were stopped at every place and questioned, "Who is he? Kill him!" Soldiers escorting me responded, "He is the head priest."

Upon reaching inside the Darbar Sahib complex, I saw Sikhs seated all over the parikarma with their hands tied behind their backs with their own turbans. Among them were the Gurdwara employees. Giani Sujan Singh, Sant Bhindranwale's helper and SGPC member, was among the detained Sikhs.

At the foot-steps of the parikarma, we were met by an arrogant Sikh Colonel. When the accompanying soldiers informed him about me, he promptly ordered "If he is the head Granthi, bring him inside." The parikarma had 6-7 tanks on it. Dead bodies were everywhere. I inquired from the Sikh Colonel if I could meet with the detained Sikhs. He replied that his orders did no allow it. However, when I informed him that our own staff was among the detained, he suggested that I could watch but not speak with them. He further emphasized that if I talked with anyone, I will be killed.

Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed's Bunga was full of detained Sikhs. As they saw me, they started crying. Some requested if I could seek permission for them to drink water from the sarowar. Whoever spoke was mercilessly beaten by soldiers with gun butts and subjected to derogatory verbal abuse saying, "Sala asks for water!" I informed the Sikh Colonel that Gursikhs regularly organize "Shabeels" to distribute water, and requested permission to distribute water among the detained Sikhs.

Indian forces could be seen in all buildings of Sri Darbar Sahib. The reference library was burning at this moment. The whole parikarma was in bad shape, covered with blood, ammunition shells, and broken glass. There was no place to put your foot down. The soldiers accompanying me suggested that I wear my shoes. However, I refused and proceeded bare-foot.

At the Shabeel corner someone fired at me. Fortunately, I escaped. Now the soldiers escorting me were yelling "He is the head priest!", but no one was listening to anyone. I was shot at once again near the Lachi Baer Gurdwara. This bullet missed and hit the ground near me. Near Lachi Baer Gurdwara, Sri Akal Takhat's courtyard was filled with dead bodies. Soldiers were everywhere. The Darshani (Deori) anteroom, Janda Bunga, New anteroom-- soldiers were positioned everywhere with entrenched machine guns and LMGs.

The historical Lachi Baer tree was badly brutalized. The nearby room for Palki Sahib was badly littered with scattered rumalas. With a deeply saddened heart and great difficulty, I reached here. The Darshani (Deori) anteroom was full of drunken soldiers who were smoking cigarettes. When these soldiers saw me, they started hurling derogatory verbal abuses at me, "Who is this Sala?" Almost all soldiers were abusive. They could not utter any words without using derogatory terms.

From the doorsill to the bridge, the Darshani anteroom was filled with rubbish. The bridge was heavily guarded with armed soldiers. Sri Harimandir Sahib was also heavily guarded. The situation inside Sri Harimandir Sahib was no better. The carpets used for June 5 could not be replaced on June 6. Ammunition shells and broken glass littered the insides as well.

There were 6-7 Sikh soldiers, including a granthi and two Colonels, when I reached inside. They informed me that General Sahib had left after a long wait for me. They instructed me to conduct Sri Guru Granth Sahib's Prakash and initiate kirtan and other services. By now I had been informed by other Singh Sahibans that the sacred copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib had been hit by a bullet.

HARBIR SINGH: The sacred copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that was hit by a bullet, was that in use in the main hall or on the first story?

SINGH SAHIB: This copy was in prakash in Sri Harimandir Sahib. At Har-Ki-Paudi a Sikh was reading from Guru Granth Sahib, when a bullet hit a window and broke its glass. A piece of that glass cut Pathi Sikh's hand. It is this Sikh's blood that you find on the rumalas.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had previously riddled Sri Darbar Sahib with bullets from all corners on June 1. The next day, June 2, was not any better either. In consultation with Tohra Sahib, on the morning of June 4, all Akhand Paths were concluded and all sacred copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were moved in for safekeeping, after their 'sukhasan'. However, the Akhand Path at Har-Ki-Paudi was allowed to continue and completed on the morning of June 6. Because of the curfew imposed by the Indian forces, our employees could not reach Sri Darbar Sahib to assume their duties. As a result most pathis had to recite Path for 8-10 hours continuously.

HARBIR SINGH: When was Sri Guru Granth Sahib's Prakash conducted?

SINGH SAHIB: First of all we cleaned the insides of Sri Harimandir Sahib. The Sikh soldiers helped me with this task. Sukhasan of the sacred copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that was hit by a bullet was conducted next. Then the Sri Guru Granth Sahib copy was brought from Lachi Baer Gurdwara and the prakash was completed around 10:00 AM. There was no Kara Prashad served. A Sikh Subedar brought some sweet-meat prepared from sugar from somewhere, which was served instead.

HARBIR SINGH: Then which Shabad's kirtan was initiated?

SINGH SAHIB: When the two Colonels inside Sri Harimandir Sahib, Shamindar Singh and Sharma, asked me to organize shabad kirtan, I expressed the need for a significant staff to conduct such program. They asked me in return where to get the required staff, upon which I informed them of the Gurdwara employees among the detained Sikhs outside and asked for their release. They agreed to my suggestion and escorted me to where the Sikhs were detained. As I pointed out our staff members, their hands were sniffed

HARBIR SINGH: (Astonished) Why did they sniff their hands?

SINGH SAHIB: I did not know either. Apparently, the hands used in firing guns can be identified through smell. It can also be identified from the fingers. Based on my request 15 Sikhs were released. The rest were considered prisoners and sent to camps. Among the released were Hajuri Ragi Mohinder Singh's tabla companion Bhai Gurcharan Singh (who could perform kirtan as well), Surma Singh Karamjeet Singh who could play tabla, and Sant Bhindranwale's Ragi Bhai Harbhajan Singh. For several days these individuals conducted the kirtan. The information regarding kirtan being performed by military personnel in your diary is inaccurate.

HARBIR SINGH: When were the dead bodies removed?

SINGH SAHIB: Giani Zail Singh was to arrive on June 8. So the Indian forces removed all dead bodies from the parikarma path from Ghanta Ghar anteroom towards Baba Budha's Baeri tree. But the bodies were left elsewhere. Even the sarowar had 10-12 floating bodies. I witnessed on June 7 that a Sikh ran out from a room along the parikarma and jumped into the sarowar. The soldiers immediately opened fire and killed him in the sarowar itself.


HARBIR SINGH: Tell us about Giani Zail Singh's visit?

SINGH SAHIB: On the day of Giani Zail Singh's visit, some soldiers took me towards the Langar building. All stories of this building were filled with soldiers. Dogra regiment was stationed here. Colonel Bajwa and one other Colonel informed me that some Sikhs were still in Ramgharia Bunga. They had taken one Captain Doctor hostage. Furthermore, these Sikhs had conveyed that if 5 Singh Sahibans asked them to drop their weapons they will comply. Giani Puran Singh was with me.

As we approached the bunga, we saw two Gursikhs seated with their backs tied to each other in front of the Bunga. We asked the Colonels that if the Sikhs drop their weapons would they not shoot them? They promised that if these Sikhs have not killed any of their men, they will be spared. Within the Ramgharia Bunga, approaching from Baba Kharak Singh's Dera side we spoke with the Sikhs over a small loudspeaker. We told them "If you have any military hostages, release them and come out, you will not be killed."
We could hear some noises but could not understand what was being said. Finally, we heard that they did not have any hostages. Upon hearing this, the Colonel asked us to leave and said they will handle it from here. Giani Zail Singh's arrival was fast approaching.

HARBIR SINGH: Was firing ongoing when Giani Zail Singh arrived?

SINGH SAHIB: Firing was continuously going on at one place or another. However, your report that a security person in Giani Zail Singh's escort was shot is inaccurate. When Giani Zail Singh arrived, one of his escort had an umbrella covering him. I sent a sewadar and asked for the removal of the umbrella. They obliged. Giani Zail Singh paid respect upon reaching Harimandir Sahib.

The question of honoring him with saropa simply did not arise. He asked some officer to contact me. Upon meeting me, Giani Zail Singh first inquired about the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Giani Kirpal Singh. I told him that he was safe. Then he asked about the attack. I summarized the events. Further I told him that the soldiers were moving around with naked heads, with boots, and continuously drinking and smoking within the premises. Their behavior was inappropriate and derogatory.
Whenever they see a Sikh, they kill him without asking any questions. Hundreds of Sikhs have been killed this way. Additionally, the sacred places are being abused by them. They have done worse things than the Mughals. How could all this happen under a Sikh President?

Giani Zail Singh told me that Mrs. Gandhi did not tell him anything. He said that he wanted to visit on June 7 but could not. He said, "Even today I have managed to come after great difficulty."

I told Giani Zail Singh that the soldiers misbehaved with me and my staff. They make our job difficult. Why not arrest us too? He immediately ordered the four generals, Sundar Ji, Dayal, Baradh, and Jamwaal to provide security. I further explained that the soldiers have looted the homes of our staff including Giani Sahibans. Giani Mohan Singh has been badly beaten, arrested and taken away. They wanted to burn the markets behind Sri Darbar Sahib complex.
I later learned that the military had planned to burn the whole street around my house and the Kolsar Bazar. They were saved by Giani Zail Singh. Giani Zail Singh saw the sacred copy of Guru Granth Sahib that was punctured by a bullet. He also witnessed the state inside Sri Harimandir Sahib. Thus, upon reaching Delhi, he immediately sent a package of Rumalas. I thought even though Giani Zail Singh is a Sikh, the rumalas are government property, and therefore did not use them.


HARBIR SINGH: When was the sacred maryada of Sri Harimandir Sahib restored?

SINGH SAHIB: On September 29, the complex was handed over to us. The interrupted maryada was restored from Oct. 1 onwards. (The first Akhand Path at Har-Ki-Paudi was initiated for Giani Sahib Singh Ji).

Harbir Singh Bhanwar did great service to Panth by writing this diary on Saka 84. I remember reading his whole diary that included interviews with prominent people, eye-witness accounts etc. in 1984 onwards. It used to get published in Ajit Jalandhar newspaper, every week.

The articles written by Sardar Sadhu Singh Hamdard, the editor of Ajit, after 1984 were most amazing. He was not able to sustain the sorrow of this attack on Sikhs and passed away few months later.

Kulbir Singh

Really sad to read this. Indian army was worse than the Mughal or Afghan army could ever be.

This comprehensive and very well written report sums up the events of 1984. It was first produced a few years ago, but this electronic copy seems to have been updated last year. It is a useful reference document and an authoritative account, using eyewitness testimony, of the massacres of the Sikhs during the course of 1984 and the repression that took place afterwards.

You can listen to Giani Puran Singhs account via an audio in Punjabi, it is very emotional, you can hear many Jaikare in the back ground. I have the recording unfortunately I do not know how to post audio. It may still be on the net somwhere. I will try to look for it.

Quote

You can listen to Giani Puran Singhs account via an audio in Punjabi, it is very emotional, you can hear many Jaikare in the back ground. I have the recording unfortunately I do not know how to post audio. It may still be on the net somwhere. I will try to look for it.

Here it is [shaheedkhalsa.com]

Articles from newspapers

‘For five days the Punjab has been cut off from the rest of the world.
There is a 24-hour curfew. All telephone and telex lines are cut. No
foreigners are permitted entry and on Tuesday, all Indian journalists
were expelled. There are no newspapers, no trains, no buses – not
even a bullock cart can move. Orders to shoot on site were widely
carried out. The whole of Punjab, with its 5,000 villages and 50 major
cities, was turned into a concentration camp. The rules were what
the Indian army and its political decision makers decided.’
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, 8TH JUNE 1984

Forty other Sikh shrines were simultaneously attacked. On the
pretext of apprehending ‘a handful of militants’ lodged inside
the Golden Temple, the Indian Army unleashed a terror
unprecedented in post-independence India.
It took the use of Vijayanta tanks to win the fight for the army.
These let loose a barrage of highly explosive shells, which tore
off the entire front of the Akal Takht, the temporal seat of the
Sikhs, setting off fires in many of its internal rooms (some of
which housed precious historical relics), and badly damaged its
dome.

‘It was a virtual massacre. A large number of
women, children and pilgrims were gunned down.’
THE GUARDIAN, 13TH JUNE 1984

‘The army went into Darbar Sahib (Golden
Temple) not to eliminate a political figure or
a political movement but to suppress the
culture of a people, to attack their heart, to
strike a blow at their spirit and
self-confidence.’ 1
JOYCE J.M. PETTIGREW

"At around 10 am, I, Bhai Amreek Singh and others went to the highest roof of Siri Akaal Takht Sahib where the meeting was to take place. Because there were too many Singhs and not enough room, they had made a "L" shape around the dome. Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Singhs with yellow dastaars, yellow kamarkassas, knee length choleh and kachheras, with their weapons facing sky-ward were giving an amazing sight. This sight can be seen in paintings of purataan times. I took a place in the corner facing Harmander Sahib..."

Part of an Interview with Pritam Kaur from the Punjab Times

Pritam Kaur was married to Rashpal Singh who was Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's P.A. and was arrested in operation Blue Star and was tortured and sent to prison for 4 years and then released in 1988. The harrasment continued even after release. Her 3 brother were taken away by the Police and killed. Her story is tear-rendering.

Q Bibi Ji how did you get to know Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale?

A On the 20th Febuary 1983 was my Anand Karaj with Rashpal Singh (Sant Bhindranwale's P.A). The Anand Karaj was arranged by a Singh from the Damdami Taksal who was close to the Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. After the Anand Karaj I got to know Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale better as we lived in Guru Nanak Niwas and then moved to the Akal Takth with the him.

Q At the start of Operation Blue Star where were you?

A At the start of Operation Blue Star we were living near the Akal Takth in a room. It was on top of the Karah Parshad counter & the wet cloths counter. I gave birth to my child on 19th May 1984. Between 1st & 3rd June there was on and off firing from outside the Darbar Sahib the aim was to find out the locations of where the Singhs were postioned, but the Singhs were farsighted. On 4th June at 4.45a.m the army started the attack inside the Darbar Sahib complex on the Parkarma with bombs. On the night of 3rd June I was giving my baby some milk while my husband Rashpal Singh tried to make a phone call, but he found that he could not get through anywhere. We found out that the telephone, electricity and water supply had been cut off. This was discussed secretly between Rashpal Singh and Sant Bhindranwale and I was only told of this situation on 4th June as he did not want me to start worrying with the baby being so young aswell. On the morning of 4th June we moved downstairs to the wet cloths store where in anticipation of the attack we had stored some dried food.

Q What happended on 4th June?

A On 4th June bullets were raining all day. Singhs did not let the army get passed the entrance on to the Parkarma. The attack was intensified on the night of 4th June, the dark night sky showed the firing clearly & dramaticaly. Some Singhs attained Shaheedi but during the day & night of the 4th the army bore the majority of casulties. We too stood our postions!

Q On 5th June?

A Heavy fighting continued. On the early hours of the morning of 5th June the Water tank was blown up by army tanks, this was the Babbars quater (Morcha). The blowing up of the water tank left some Singhs Shaheed and others were very badly injured. On this day the army targeted the postions occupied by the Singh in high positions, trying to bomb tall buildings. We were still holding our positions strong. Up until the night of 5th June not even 1 army soldier got through to the Parkarma. Singhs kept blowing them up at the entrance. On the morning of 5th June at 9.30 a.m Bhai Rashpal Singh went to the Akal Takth to meet Sant Bhindranwale and asked what was the next programme and the Sant replied Hold our positions till the last breath, this is our last programme. We will give our last drop of blood to Sikhi. Once again on the evening of the 5th they spoke again and this was stand was reiterated. At about 8.30pm on 5th June the entrance from the Langar hall stairs were blown up and tanks were taken into the Parkarma. Behind the tanks were soldiers. The Singhs kept the tanks and army at bay for some 3 hours. One tank got stuck at the asthan of Baba Deep Singh and was only moved after the attack. At the same time the army stormed Teja Singh Samundri hall and the rooms in the Parkarma and behaved liked savages, they raped women, looted, killed children, burnt people alive, set the rooms on fire and tied the hands of devotees behind their backs and shot them. Heavy firing was still continuing and we were still holding our positions. Then on 6th June 12.15a.m Bhai Rashpal Singh did Kirtan Sohela and then kissed the baby and said his last fateh and was going onto the Parkarma to face the enemy, just as he was a bullet hit the baby who I was holding next to my chest and pierced into my chest. The baby died immediatly (18 day old baby shaheed!) and I fell to the floor. Rashpal Singh saw me drop to the floor and as he did another bullet came and hit him on the head and he fell on top of me and became a Shaheed. I was in pain due to the bullet, some Singhs came and dragged me into a room. One of the Singhs went out to fetch me some water but as he left he was captured by soldiers. The army came into this room, we (me and 2/3 others) were captured and were told to face the wall ready to be shot at. They were about to aim and shoot us in the back when from the Sikh reference Library side a Sikh officer shouted out not to kill us but to hand us over to him.

Q What happened next?

A It was the morning of the 6th June, there was still the ocassional firing going on. Soldiers took us towards the library, as we turnred the corner of the Bibi da Ishnan area I looked at the Akal Takth and is was smoking and fire was burning. Rooms were burning we were walking over dead bodies, there was blood everywhere. The sarowar water was red in colour some bodies were floating on the water. Children and women were dying for water. The soldiers sat us down near the reference library. Some women were crying out for water but I kept quiet. After a while the army allowed people to drink water. The women and children had to drink the blood filled water . I also drank that water. The soldiers at this time began to suspect that I was someone important, they began to look at me differently to the other bibian. After leting us drink the water the soldiers took us to Darshani Deori side. They seperated me from the rest as they were suspicious of me. They brought over 3 sevedars of the SGPC to identify me. They all knew me but they did not identify me, all 3 were then shot dead . The soldiers thought that this would scare me but I did not fall for that. I told the soldiers that I was a Singhni of one of the sevedars. I was still in great pain because of the bullet in my chest and because of the heat I was very thirsty but kept quiet in Vaheguru's fate. On the night of 6th June we were made to lie on the stones and debris of the building.

Q Tell us about the Shaheedi of Sant Bhindranwale.

A Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was commited to sacrificing his life for Sikhi (if need was) and took shaheedi infront of the Akal Takth on 6th June. At this time all the Singhs had come out of their Morche (postions) and were fighting the soldiers. I got injured on the early hours of the 6th June and was captured so I can not explain how Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale got Shaeed but his body was identified in front of me. His body lay near two Nishan Sahibs. On the morning of 7th June about 9.00am Sant Bhindranwale's brother Captain Harcharan Singh and his sister Daljit Kaur came with officers straight to the body. I was watching this sitting on the stones. The body was identified and a nod was given by in the form of a yes and they left. After that 3 Ambassador cars came and took 3 bodies, which were Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh & some one else (probably Baba Tahra Singh). General Subheg Singh's body was taken into a open army truck. Then all four bodies were taken away. At this time some Hindus of the town were at the building apposite us and were dancing and giving out sweets out to the soldiers . After this the soldiers took us to the army camps.

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Vaheguru jee!

The Shaheed Singh in Harminder Sahib itself, as told by Puran Singh Ji, is Avtaar Singh Paarowal (Amritsar) Wale. He was from AKJ and a very humble gursikh. He seems to be the only Shaheed in Sikh history, who got martyrdom in Sanctum Sanctorium. Earlier, one Dushat Maasa Rangher, was killed inside by the Singhs. So, we know about one Singh and one Dushat, losing life inside Sri Harminder Sahib. Please do correct, if it is not so.

Bhai Avtaar Singh Paarowal

"The continuous singing of Kirtan and sacred hymns that have been recited around the clock for centuries was brought to a stand still. Sri Darbar Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum, holy of the holies, was riddled with bullets. Inside, one of the bullets had pierced the centuries old handwritten saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The hazoori Ragis, minstrel priests, Bhai Amrik Singh and Bhai Avtar Singh Parowal had also been shot and killed. The ramalla cloth that covered the sacred embodiment of God was soaked in the blood of the dead attendants".

More reports

Jagtar Singh, a senior journalist, was a Punjab correspondent with a leading English daily during the assault, here are some excerpts from his forthcoming book:

"From the main entrance on the ghanta ghar (clock tower) side, the pockmarked Darbar Sahib reminded you of the buildings damaged in World War II. The big clock on the main entrance on that side had stopped, frozen in time, indicating the exact time action began early on June 4. Inside, the stink of human flesh was all pervading."

"On the historic doors of the darshani deodi leading to the sanctum sanctorum in front of the Akal Takht, a notice proclaimed in capital letters: UNDER ARMY OCCUPATION. That is exactly what it was. Army authorities took pains to explain how the damage to the central shrine had been avoided. But by then colossal damage had been inflicted at another level - the damage to the Sikh psyche."

"Haversacks of the soldiers lay piled up in the two staircases leading to the first floor of Darbar Sahib. The historic hand written Bir of Guru Granth Sahib on the first floor was covered with a white bloodstained cloth. Placing this Bir in order was a traumatic experience, which continued to give shivers to this writer even several years later."

"The ashes of Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh and Major General Shabeg Singh were immersed along with 200 others at Kiratpur Sahib on June 14. The government, for unexplained reasons, did not reveal information at that time. Heaps of bodies were loaded in the municipal corporation's garbage trucks and carried to the cremation ground. No effort was made to identify the bodies."

"The Akal Takht, the unique symbol of sovereignty and Sikh struggle constructed by [the] Sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, which later came to acquire the distinction of being the supreme Sikh institution for prayer and politics, was still smoldering."

"The stench in the Akal Takht area was nauseating and it appeared some bodies were still lay buried there."
"The convoy was taken back straight to Raja Sansi. The water tank in the semi area with gaping holes caused by artillery fire and the two observation towers of the fortress Bunga Ramgarhia in the shrine complex, told the story of heavy fighting. Only later it came to be known that tanks had been taken right inside the complex to attack Akal Takht, the last point of resistance. The complex stood as mute witness to the three-day war."

"Nearly every inch of the walls, apart from the sanctum sanctorum, had bullet marks of virtually all calibers. The Akal Takht lay in ruins."

Waheguru - These are UNFORTUNATE KNOWNS (that we and next generations should know) that tell some more of what we know of the BLACK Day written by Indian Politics.

Request to Admin to save this Thread and all releated to 1984 at a separate place.

Bhul Chuk Maaf !!