Jump to content

Manbir Singh Chaheru

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bhai
Manbir Singh Chaheru
1st Jathedar of Khalistan Commando Force
In office
February 1986 - August 1986
Preceded by Position Established
Succeeded byGeneral Labh Singh
Personal details
Born1959
Village Chaheru, Kapurthala, Panjab, India
DiedDecember 1987 (aged 27–28)
Punjab, India
Known forFounding KCF
  • Day-light attack on District Courts in Jalandhar, Punjab where six to eight policemen were killed. Freed Labh Singh, Sawarnjit Singh and Gurinder Singh Bhola from police custody.
NicknameHari Singh
Military service
Years of service1984–1986
RankGeneral

Bhai Manbir Singh Chaheru (1959 – December 1987), also known as General Hari Singh[1] was an Indian militant, Sikh separatist, and the first leader of the Khalistan Commando Force.[2][3][4]

Early life

[edit]

Singh was born in 1959 in the village of Chaheru to a Badwal Saini Sikh family, Kapurthala, Punjab.[5] His father, Mohinder Singh Badwal, was a farmer.

Manbir Singh completed his primary education from his village school. He then moved to the home of his maternal aunt Niranjan Kaur, in the village of Kala Bakra, for his secondary education. After passing his matriculation exams, he assisted his father in agriculture for six years. He later married Ranjit Kaur.

Baptism and religious inclination

[edit]

The Nirankari-Sikh clash in 1978 affected Manbir Singh. A retired army officer Giani Joginder Singh who was also son-in-law of Mabir Singh's aunt Niranjan Kaur, encouraged him to get baptised (a Sikh initiation ceremony). In 1979, Mabir Singh along with his wife and his father's younger brother, Karnail Singh, took the baptism from Sant Nihal Singh Harian Wela Wale at the Sodal Gurdwara in district of Jalandhar, Punjab.

He came in contact with Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Gurbant Singh, Bhai Prem Singh and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale while attending religious classes of Damdami Taksal at the Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, Mehta Chownk, district Amritsar, Punjab.

Association with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

[edit]

In 1981, Chaheru was arrested temporarily because of his heated arguments with a Senior Superintendent of Police of Jalandhar, Gur Iqbal Singh Bhular, when Bhular questioned Chaheru about his actions. Chaheru's uncle, Karnail Singh, got him released on bail with a personal surety that Manbir Singh would appear at Police station the next day. After this incident, Manvir Singh approached Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and moved to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) complex where he served food in the Sikh free kitchen (Guru ka Langar). Chaheru became Bhindranwale's personal bodyguard.[6] Police arrested his uncle Karnail Singh for Manbir Singh's failure to appear at the police station per his assurance.

In the Golden Temple complex, Manbir Singh stayed in room number 53 of Guru Nanak Niwas along with Giani Joginder Singh, Malagar Singh Babbar, Singh and Gurtej Singh. He came in contact with Major Singh Nagoke who fought against Indian forces during Operation Blue Star, Sukhdev Singh Sukha of village Fatu Dinga, Balwinder Singh Khojkipur, Joginder Singh Rode and Kabal Singh.

On 18 June 1983, Chaheru and an associate shot dead chief of Criminal Investigation Agency Phagwara Inspector Rattan Chand Sharda in his office.[7][8][9][10] At 10:30 AM Chaheru walked into Sharda’s office and shot him 12 times as he sat in his chair. Sharda was involved in the police firing at Rasta Roko Morcha.[11] At Kup Kalan near Malerkotla, where Rasta Roko Morcha protesters were, security forces and paramilitary forces opened "indiscriminate and unprovoked" fire which resulted in the death of 24 or 26 protesters and the burning of shops and tractors.[12][13] Around 1,000 protestors were jailed[14] and around 500 protestors and police were also wounded.[15]

Manbir in October 1983 donated blood to Makhan Singh who had been injured in an attack of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bachan Singh.[16]

On 14 April 1984 Surinder Singh Sodhi, one of Chaheru’s closest friends and the “right-arm” of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was killed while drinking tea in a shop in Amritsar.[17][18] Sodhi was killed by a men and a women. The women, Baljit Kaur, would go to the Golden Temple after the killing and confessed to the murder.[19] Baljit Kaur would be interrogated by Bhidnranwale. She would admit to the other killer being her boyfriend Surinder Singh Shinda and to being paid by Gurcharan Singh, the general secretary of Akali Dal, to do the killing. She also implicated others.[17] Bhindranwale vowed to avenge the killing.[20] With this Chaheru and fellow militants made their way to punish who they deemed the culprits. Chaheru and others killed Surinder Singh Shinda. He was chopped into 7 pieces for shooting Sodhi 7 times. He was killed within 24 hours of Bhindranwale vowing vengence.[17][21][16][22][23]

Giani Joginder Singh, a relative of Manvir Singh Chaheru, died while leading a band of Sikhs in fighting Indian army at the main entrance of Golden Temple during Operation Bluestar. Giani Joginder Singh's daughter later married Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's son Inderjit Singh.[24]

Khalistan Commando Force

[edit]

Creation

[edit]

Mabir Singh Chaheru was not inside Sri Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) during Operation Blue Star in 1984. After the attack, he fled to Pakistan, but returned to avenge the attack and to achieve independence for Khalistan. He and others, including Harjinder Singh Jinda, Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Gurdev Singh Debu, Khalistan Commando Force was founded by the Sarbat Khalsa and Panthic Committee. It was the official army of Khalistan.[25] Manbir Singh Chaheru was made the first leader in February 1986.[26][27][28]

Mabir Singh set up the KCF military hierarchy, but ad hoc groups conducted most operations at the local level.[2][29] Mabir Singh led the resistance in Doaba.[1]

He participated in several encounters against Indian security forces.[30]

Early attacks

[edit]

On 6 March 1986, according to police Manbir Singh’s planned attack on Kabul Singh, acting president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was carried out in Kapurthala. The attack killed 7 and injured 13. It was carried out by KCF members. According to police 6 men in a jeep opened fire on the escort of Kabul Singh and a police men. Kabul Singh managed to survive, but was seriously wounded.[31][32][33] According to othee sources the real target was Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jarnail Singh Brar and that Kabul Singh was caught in the crossfire. The KCF members used stenguns. This attack was condemned by the Panthic Committee and the All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF).[34]

On 7 March 1986, Manbir Singh and co burned the home of police Inspector Jaskirit Singh in Kassochal.[34]

On 26 March 1986, KCF members killed Arjan Singh Mastana an MLA and leader of Communist Party of India.[35][36][37][38]

On 29 March 1986, Manbir Singh and co were allegedly responsible (According to Surjit Singh Barnala) for an attack in Nakodar killing 12. They shot at a brick kiln and a nearby barber shop.[39][31]

Jalandhar court attack

[edit]

6 officers were killed, and more injured, in a violent attack on the District court in Jalandhar, Punjab, India which broke free Labh Singh, and others.[40][41][42][43][44][45] Accounts of the attack, reported on 6 April 1986 in the US, differed.[46] The attack was done by Chaheru and fellow associates.[47]

"The Courier" of Arizona, US, carried a story attributed to UPI stating that 3 "Sikh terrorists" killed 3 police officers who were taking 3 prisoners to a bathroom, while "16 armed court guards cowered in fear". The report stated that 2 police holding a 4th prisoner were also gunned down, and that "Three other officers, a lawyer, and a bystander were wounded as the Sikhs sprayed the area for 15 minutes." Police said that the guards were too frightened to return fire. This fourth suspect remained in custody. Finally, the Courier article reported that the Sikhs looted "three rifles and a submachine gun" from the dead bodies, and that a 6th officer later succumbed to wounds from the attack.[48]

The "Wilmington Morning Star" carried an AP story, and related that 3 "Sikh extremists" killed 4 police officers inside the District Court complex, killed two officers who "were shot at the courtyard gate as the attackers fled", and wounded 4 other individuals, including a lawyer. The Star identified the freed suspects as Labh Singh, Gurinder Singh, and Swaranjit Singh, who were to appear in court on charges of slaying Ramesh Chander, a Hindu newspaper editor. The Star reported that District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said 4 attackers fired over a compound wall from a lane. It further reported that others witnessed the attackers open fire from close range as police led the prisoners to the toilet. The report concluded with District Police Chief Baljit Singh Sandhu's statement that the attackers hard "fired at least 50 rounds" in the attack.[46]

The "Eugene Register-Guardian" reported that District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said in a telephone interview that 3 or more attackers opened fire as 4 defendants accused of the May 1984 slaying of Ramesh Chander, were being led into the compound, and that the attackers took 3 rifles from the slain police.[45]

The “Associated Press” reported District Magistrate S.C. Aggarwal said in a telephone interview Sikh militants had killed 6 police officers and wounded 4 including a lawyer in an attack on the District Court in Jalandhar. They freed 3 prisoners accused of killing.[49]

This single incident became a basis of Roberio's "Bullet for bullet" policy.[50]

According to an account from a former militant in 1986 Chaheru and Balbir Singh Raipur planned to release Labh Singh and Sawarnjit Singh from police custody as they were to appear in court on charges of slaying Ramesh Chander, a Hindu newspaper editor. One Balbir Singh arranged a car and one Jarnail Singh arranged a jeep as a get away vehicle. They planned to free both Sukhdev Singh and Sawarnjit Singh from the district courts in Jalandhar when the prisoners arrived for their monthly hearings. Chaheru, Ajitpal Singh, Balbir Singh Raipur, Rashpal Singh, Jarnail Singh met outside the courts. Chaheru was carrying a sten gun and all other militants had revolvers. When Labh Singh and Sawarnjit Singh arrived under heavy police protection, Chaheru signalled them to go to the washrooms. Once they went, Chaheru and his partners opened fire on the policemen, the attackers killed 4 police officers inside the court complex and 2 at the courtyard gate. They were able to free Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Sawarnjit Singh and Gurinder Singh Bhola.[51]

Jalandhar bank robbery

[edit]

According to Harjinder Singh Jinda after Labh Singh was free they both met each other in Jalandhar along with Chaheru. Chaheru had told them that they were in urgent need of money. Labh Singh and Jinda told Chaheru that they would get the cash in a week. They began to scout banks in Jalandhar and selected one to rob. 3 days later at 11 in the morning Labh Singh, Jinda, and others robbed the bank of 1,250,000 rupees. (250,000 USD)[52][53]

Other actions

[edit]

Under Manbir Singh Tarsem Singh Kohar, the main hit man of KCF, along with Sukhdev Singh hijacked a train on 10 April which resulted in the death of 5 police officers.[54]

On 15 July 1986, Manbir Singh organised a attack on Karpurthala Jail to rescue 2 Sikh militants. The militants were Balwinder Singh and Jagjit Singh Gill. Both of whom were “dreaded” militants. In the jailbreak 2 guards were killed and their weapons were taken.[55][56][57][58]

Assassination of General Vaidya

[edit]

In 1984, General Arun Vaidya had planned and supervised[59] Operation Blue Star – a controversial military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India,[60] in order to flush out a group of heavily armed Sikh militants in June 1984 at the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs.

General Vaidya had moved to Pune after his retirement from the army. On 10 August 1986, General Arun Vaidya was shot and killed by Jinda and Sukha while he was driving his car home from the market.[61] According to the police, the assailants pulled up next to his car on motor scooters and fired eight or nine shots into the car.[62] Vaidya reportedly died instantly of head and neck wounds. His wife, who was also in the car, was wounded by four bullets in her back and thighs.[63] According to Indian intelligence sources, Vaidya had been the number four assassination target on lists by Sikh militants and he was one of several people killed in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.[64][65] Following the assassination, the Khalistan Commando Force issued a statement declaring that Vaidya had been killed in retaliation for the Operation Blue Star.[64]

Arrest and death

[edit]

On 8 August 1986, Mabir Singh Chaheru was arrested along with Major Baldev Singh Ghuman, Charanjit Singh dhami and two other Sikhs when approximately 200 paramilitary troops raided Major Baldev Singh's farm House on bootan village the outskirts of city of Jalandhar, in state of Punjab.[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] Punjab police stated that there were two dozen murder cases registered against Chaheru by that time.[74]

It is unclear as to what led to his arrest. It is possible that government infiltrators whose aim was to plot the Gurjit Singh faction against Kahlon faction did this. Subsequently the committee members of Kahlon faction were killed by the Gurjit Singh faction.[clarification needed]

Bhai Manvir Singh Chaheru was kept in various jails in Punjab, and later he was moved to another jail in Bihar. In December 1987, police announced that Manvir Singh had escaped from the police custody while officials were returning Chaheru from Bihar to Punjab. There were claims that police had killed him while he was in police custody[75] and disposed his body in the Beas River. In the city of Chandigarh, the Punjab Police Chief Julio Francis Ribeiro told news reporters afterward that "...they do not need to worry as Manvir Singh will not come back."[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Declaration of Khalistan was made at the instance of Pakistan, terrorists confesses". India Today. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Atkins, Stephen E. (2004). Encyclopedia of modern worldwide ... – Google Books. ISBN 9780313324857. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  3. ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (November 1996). Fighting for faith and nation ... – Google Books. ISBN 0812215923. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  4. ^ Singh, Birinder Pal (13 October 2008). Violence as political discourse – Google Books. ISBN 9788179860069. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  5. ^ India today – Google Books. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  6. ^ The Journal of Commonwealth ... – Google Books. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  7. ^ "June 19, 1983, Forty Years Ago: Officer shot". The Indian Express. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ White Paper on the Punjab Agitation. 1984. pp. 120–121.
  9. ^ Kaul, Vimla (1986). India Since Independence: Chronology of Events. Sagar Publications. p. 1877. ISBN 978-81-7082-000-0.
  10. ^ Terrorism in Punjab: Cause and Cure. Panchnad Research Institute. 1987.
  11. ^ "ਫਗਵਾੜਾ ਵਿਚ ਸੀ. ਆਈ. ਏ. ਦੇ ਇੰਸਪੈਕਟਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਗੋਲੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਡਾ ਦਿਤਾ". Ajit. 18 June 1983.
  12. ^ Dhillon, Gurdarshan Singh (1996). Truth about Punjab: SGPC White Paper. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. p. 192.
  13. ^ Grewal, J. S. (1998). The Sikhs of the Punjab. Internet Archive. Cambridge [England]; New York : Cambridge University Press. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-521-63764-0.
  14. ^ "INDIA 'War of faith' Sikhs hold dagger to Mrs Gandhi's throat". Canberra Times. 25 April 1983. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  15. ^ 24 Sikh Protestors Killed by Police The Hour 1983/04/05 Page 1
  16. ^ a b ਖਾੜਕੂ ਯੋਧੇ in Punjabi by Maninder Singh Baja
  17. ^ a b c Tully, Mark; Jacob, Satish (1985). Amritsar, Mrs. Gandhi's last battle. Internet Archive. Calcutta : Rupa & Co. pp. 130–133.
  18. ^ White Paper on the Punjab Agitation. 1984. p. 145.
  19. ^ "Sikh terrorist killed by female assassin". UPI. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  20. ^ Chima, Jugdep S. (11 March 2010). The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5150-953-0.
  21. ^ The Spokesman-Review. The Spokesman-Review.
  22. ^ The Bulletin. The Bulletin.
  23. ^ Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  24. ^ "tribuneindia... Punjab". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  25. ^ Pettigrew, Joyce J. M. (1995). The Sikhs of the Punjab : unheard voices of State and guerrilla violence. Internet Archive. London; Atlantic Highlands, N.J. : Zed Books. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-85649-355-0.
  26. ^ Stephen E. Atkins (2004). Encyclopedia of Modern Worldwide Extremists and Extremist Groups. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-313-32485-7.
  27. ^ Cynthia Keppley Mahmood (November 1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 152–153. ISBN 0-8122-1592-3.
  28. ^ Birinder Pal Singh (2002). Violence as Political Discourse. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. ISBN 9788179860069.
  29. ^ Pruthi, Raj (2004). Sikhism and Indian Civilization. Discovery Publishing House. p. 162. ISBN 9788171418794. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  30. ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (November 1996). Fighting for faith and nation ... ISBN 0812215923. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  31. ^ a b "Authorities arrest two Sikh extremists - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Sikh gunmen murdered six people and wounded 13 in..." UPI. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  33. ^ Daily Report: Near East & South Asia. The Service. 19 January 1988. p. 81.
  34. ^ a b "We in Punjab are fighting the battle on behalf of the country: Surjit Singh Bamala". India Today. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  35. ^ Thukral, Gobind (31 October 1986). "Punjab: Red Targets". India Today. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  36. ^ "Spokane Chronicle - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Killing of communist leaders in Punjab makes Left parties more firm in opposing terrorism". India Today. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  38. ^ "Gurpreet Singh: Khalistani separatists' killings leave a legacy of sorrow in Canada and the U.S." The Georgia Straight. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Sikh terrorists opened fire on a brick factory and..." UPI. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  40. ^ "The World, section 1". Los Angeles Times. 6 April 1986. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2016. Sikh extremists shot their way into a courthouse in the Punjab city of Jullundur, killed six policemen and freed three prisoners accused of killing a Hindu editor, authorities said.
  41. ^ Chicago Tribune Wires (5 April 1986). "SIKH GUNMEN SLAY 6 COPS IN PUNJAB". Chicago Tribune. p. 14. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  42. ^ "Sikh terrorist kill policemen in Punjab". The Free-Lance Star. 5 April 1986. Retrieved 23 January 2016.[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ "Terrorists kill 6 policemen, free prisoners". Ludington Daily News. 4 April 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2016.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "Sikhs kill 6, free 3 prisoners". The Spokesman-Review and Spokane Chronicle. 6 April 1986. p. A6.[permanent dead link]
  45. ^ a b "Sikh extremists kill 6 policemen, free 3 prisoners". Eugene Register-Guard. 6 April 1986. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  46. ^ a b "Sikhs Kill 6 on Courthouse Steps". Associated Press (Wilmington Morning Star). 6 April 1986. Retrieved 23 January 2016.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-8122-1592-2.
  48. ^ "Bloody jailbreak in Punjab leaves three officers dead". The Courier. 5 April 1986. Retrieved 30 September 2009. [dead link]
  49. ^ "Sikhs kill 6 in attack outside court". Associated Press. 5 April 1986.
  50. ^ Gupta, G. V. (7 March 1999). "Book Review:Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer:'Bullet-for-bullet is not my baby'". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  51. ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (November 1996). Fighting for faith and nation ... – Google Books. ISBN 0812215923. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  52. ^ "Jail Chithiyan. Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda Ate Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha (Singhs of Keysborough) | PDF | South Asia | Punjab". Scribd. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  53. ^ "Asi Attwadi Nahi by Jinda Sukha | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  54. ^ "India's second most-wanted Sikh captured - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  55. ^ The Indian Express. The Indian Express.
  56. ^ "Declaration of Khalistan was made at the instance of Pakistan, militant confesses". India Today. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  57. ^ Link. United India Periodicals. 1986. p. 28.
  58. ^ The Calgary Herald. The Calgary Herald.
  59. ^ "IN BRIEF; Indian General Who Raided Temple Is Slain". The New York Times. 17 August 1986.
  60. ^ "Operation Bluestar, 20 Years On". Rediff.com.
  61. ^ Associated Press. "Shrine Leader Killed in Ambush", The Dallas Morning News, 11 August 1986.
  62. ^ Weisman, Steven R. "A Top Indian General is Assassinated", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11 August 1986.
  63. ^ Sun-Times Wires. "Sikhs kill ex-army chief, massacre revenge hinted", Chicago Sun-Times, 11 August 1986.
  64. ^ a b Associated Press. "General cremated; Sikhs admit to killing", c/o Houston Chronicle, 11 August 1986.
  65. ^ "The Vaidya Murder Case: Confirming Death Sentences", India Abroad. (New York edition). New York, N.Y.: 24 July 1992. Vol.XXII, Issue. 43; pg.20.
  66. ^ Pettigrew, Joyce (3 September 2008). The Sikhs of the Punjab: unheard ... – Google Books. ISBN 9781856493550. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  67. ^ "Chicago Tribune". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 10 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.[dead link]
  68. ^ "NEW Straits Times". 10 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.[permanent dead link]
  69. ^ "The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon". 11 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  70. ^ "The Ledger". 11 August 1986. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  71. ^ "Gainesville Sun – Aug 10, 1986". 10 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  72. ^ "Toledo Blade – Aug 10, 1986". 10 August 1986. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  73. ^ "Ocala Star-Banner – Aug 10, 1986". 11 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  74. ^ "WORLD NEWS BRIEFS – Chicago Sun-Times". Encyclopedia.com. 10 August 1986. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  75. ^ The Journal of Commonwealth ... – Google Books. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
[edit]
Preceded by
None
 Commander-in-Chief of Khalistan Commando Force
1984–1986 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manbir_Singh_Chaheru&oldid=1253381119"