During the height of the Khalistan movement along the Punjab-Haryana border, battles between Babbar Khalsa and Indian forces were a regular occurrence. Among the many encounters, the one near the village of Maujia stands out as one of the most notable. The villages surrounding Maujia, including Raipur, played a critical role, taking immense risks to support the Singhs.
Indian State Terrorism
Indian security forces—comprising the Central Army, CRPF, BSF, and RAW—flooded Punjab during this period. These outside forces harbored hostility toward the local Sikh population and were notorious for widespread abuse, including violence and sexual assaults. The presence of jeeps filled with soldiers became a source of daily terror for the villagers.
War Against the Invaders
United in their mission, various Sikh Jathebandis—including the Khalistan Commando Force, Khalistan Liberation Force, Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan, and Babbar Khalsa—decided to counter these forces. They launched a coordinated strategy of ambushes and direct attacks on CRPF, BSF, and army patrols, striking fear into the invading forces.
Shift of Control
As Sikh fighters gained ground, the dynamic in many areas shifted. Where Indian forces once patrolled and terrorized villages, it was now the turn of Sikh fighters to assert control. Sikh patrols replaced government patrols, and significant parts of Punjab fell under the influence of the Khalsa.
Babbar Khalsa’s Checkpoint
A Babbar Khalsa checkpoint near the village of Dodra became symbolic of this newfound power. Disguised as Punjab Police officers, the Singhs stopped vehicles and conducted inspections, ensuring that no government forces could harass the villagers.
One day, a CRPF convoy was halted at this checkpoint. The CRPF soldiers, upon spotting a .30 carbine rifle with one of the Singhs, grew suspicious. Realizing the men in front of them were not police officers but Babbar Khalsa fighters, a shootout ensued. Three CRPF soldiers and two Punjab Police officers were killed, but Bhai Khem Singh Fauji was gravely injured. Fellow Singhs, Bhai Jugraj Singh Rashin and Bhai Bashir Muhammad, managed to evacuate him under heavy fire. Despite damage to their vehicle from the CRPF’s machine guns, they successfully escaped, bringing Bhai Khem Singh to a safe location in Maujia for medical attention.
The Challenge
By September 7, 1991, the police were certain that the Babbar Khalsa Singhs were hiding in the villages of Maujia and Raipur. They called in reinforcements and soon, hundreds of CRPF and Punjab Police officers surrounded the area. Addressing the Singhs over loudspeakers, they demanded their surrender: “Tusi Atam Samarpan Kar Deo Naii Ta Marey Jaoge” (Give up your weapons or you will be killed).
The Singhs’ Response
The eight Babbar Khalsa Singhs, under the leadership of Bhai Balwinder Singh Gagga, embraced the challenge with a smile, eager for the chance to achieve martyrdom. Before engaging in battle, they went to the local Gurdwara Sahib to perform an ardas (prayer) for strength. Concerned for the safety of the villagers, they decided to move out of the village and take positions in the nearby fields to ensure no innocent lives would be lost in the crossfire.
Before leaving, the Babbars made their own announcement over the loudspeaker, warning the Indian forces to leave the village or face the consequences.
The Encounter
As the battle commenced, Indian forces advanced toward the Singhs’ positions in the fields, deploying a bulletproof tractor. The Babbars, led by Bhai Gurmail Singh Babbar, responded swiftly—destroying the tractor with a well-aimed RL 8 Launcher. Even the injured Bhai Khem Singh took up arms, determined to fight alongside his brothers.
At the same time, hundreds of villagers began pouring into Maujia from nearby fields, further complicating the situation for the Indian forces. Unable to target the villagers without risking a public outcry, the CRPF and police found themselves in a difficult position.
A Call for Unity in the Bettle
Recognizing the dire situation, Bhai Balwinder Singh Gagga and his fellow Singhs called upon the local villagers to unite and fight together with the forces. They spread the word through nearby Gurudwara Sahib loudspeakers, urging villagers to join the fight against the Indian forces. Within minutes, hundreds of villagers gathered, blocking roads and sabotaging reinforcements. They opened water tanks to flood the roads, cut off escape routes, and damaged vehicles. Armed with whatever they could find, the villagers joined the Babbars in resisting the invaders.
The Aftermath
As the battle raged on, the Indian forces were demoralized. Facing mounting casualties and the growing number of villagers joining the fight, many CRPF and police officers surrendered. However, the Indian military soon dispatched Para Commando units from Bathinda to subdue the resistance.
Despite being heavily outgunned, the Singhs held their ground for over 36 hours. Eventually, three Babbars—Bhai Khem Singh Babbar, Bhai Paramjit Singh Phulewal, and Bhai Gurmail Singh Sectry—attained martyrdom, but not before inflicting heavy losses on the invading forces. The Red Cross was called in to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, and it took the Indian forces three days to recover their dead and lost equipment.
Retaliation Against Villagers
After the battle, the Indian forces sought revenge on the villagers for aiding the Babbars. They humiliated the residents of Maujia and Raipur, confiscating their belongings and keeping them under harsh conditions in the scorching sun. Despite the abuse, the villagers stood proud, remembering the bravery of the Babbars who had fought and died to protect them.
Babbar Khalsa’s Retaliation
In response to the mistreatment of the villagers, the Babbar Khalsa’s high command issued a stern warning to the Indian forces, threatening further retaliation if the attacks on civilians continued. True to their word, Babbar Khalsa fighters, including Bhai Sudagar Singh, launched a counterattack, blowing up a Para Commando truck near the village of Bajewala.