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Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Pappu, also known as Gora, is recognized as one of the courageous figures in the Khadku movement. His tales of valor not only inspired other young individuals but also served as a shining example of a dedicated Kharku Gursikh in the annals of Sikh history. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the Sikh Struggle, influencing and motivating others to follow in his footsteps.

Birth & Early Life

Shaheed Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Pappu, also known as Gora, was born in 1965 in the village of Dhadyala Nazara, in Gurdaspur district, to Sardar Santokh Singh and Mata Swaran Kaur. He received his primary education from the village high school.

Fascinating Personality

Bhai Sahib was endowed with a striking appearance by the eternal God; everyone who saw him was filled with happiness. He treated everyone with great humility. Bhai Sahib was tall with a fair complexion, a sharp nose, thin lips, pearly white eyes, a broad and fair forehead, a short full beard, a brief mustache, and large, beautiful eyes. He appeared youthful, like a fresh sheet. Surrounded by fellow Singhs, he was remarkably handsome.

While carrying an assault rifle, he would humbly touch the feet of elders, regardless of their caste. Blessings would naturally flow from their mouths, “Warrior, pride of youth, may God keep us in the ascendancy; our age is yours. So be it.”

June 1984

Following the military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib by the Indian government in June 1984 and the assassination of Indira Gandhi in November 1984, a brutal massacre of Sikhs occurred in various cities, including Delhi, Kanpur, Bokaro, and others. Bhai Sukhwinder Singh became part of the militant movement, driven by the determination to establish a separate homeland for the Sikh community.

Joining Damdami Taksal

Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Gora came to Damdami Taksal and received Gurbani Path Santhya from Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji Kaunke. He became a Gurbani rasi after taking Amrit. He continued to perform the service of Amrit Sanchar among the beloved ones in Taksal. The police noticed Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Gora while offering Amrit, leading to raids and attempts to arrest him.

Joining KCF

When Bhai Sahib initiated Sikh Parchar in his local community, raising awareness about government injustices, the authorities took notice. Consequently, the police issued orders for his arrest, leading to attempted raids at both his residence and the homes of his relatives. To avoid police and KCF arrest, Bhai Sahib went into hiding. Chief Bhai Sukhdev Singh devoted himself to the Sikh struggle under the leadership of Jhamka.

After the martyrdom of Bhai Sukhdev Singh Jhamka, the militant Jathebandi took on the responsibility of Deputy Chief of the Khalistan Commando Force. They were already engaged in confrontations with the security forces and began a jihad against the oppressors. Their commitment remained unwavering. Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurjant Singh Rajasthani, KCF, continued to serve as the commander-in-chief of the zone.

Panthic Committee member & KCF Deputy Chief

In recognition of Bhai Sukhwinder Singh’s services and bravery, he was appointed a member of the Panthic Committee and the KCF, serving as a Deputy Chief. As the central government of India escalated Sikh militancy in Punjab, deploying the Punjab Police, Home Guard, CRPF, and BSF, along with numerous unarmed personnel, bulletproof vehicles, and tractors, even though the army was stationed in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Ferozepur districts with their services available throughout Punjab.

Challenge to Indian Forces

Following the army’s deployment, police captains from every district began combing villages, fields, camps, and dhanis in search of militant Singhs. Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Pappu Gora welcomed the army’s presence in Punjab, stating in newspapers that the government had deployed its armed forces against the Sikh struggle for freedom, and they would welcome it with sacrifices. They would neither leave the field nor surrender; their spirits remained high as they continued to fight for the pride and rights of the Sikh community.

Bhai Sahib always prayed to Akal Purakh, saying, “O Akal Purakh, God of the Universe! Do not let me fall into the hands of the police alive. Make me a martyr on the battlefield in the final moments.”

Martyrdom –27 January 1992

On January 27, 1992, the police conducted house searches in the village of Karnama (Batala-Gurdaspur) based on information from a police informer. Bhai Sahib, along with his companions, Bhai Daljit Singh Roginpura and Bhai Param Singh Kalia Bahmanis, were present in the village. The district’s Batala-Gurdaspur police captain, S.P. Operations Rupinder Sihu, DSP Teja Sihu, ASI, and thousands of Punjab Police and Central Force personnel, led by Kashmira Singh, surrounded the village. House searches were conducted, but the security forces couldn’t locate Singh. In the early morning, people were still going to the fields for various purposes when the police started gathering villagers in the village school. Police Chief Rupinder Sihun told the people, “We are pursuing Pappu Gora, and we request your support. We will soon succeed in controlling him.”

With that, the police captain decided to return with the security forces. However, in case of any suspicion or new information from the informer, the police captain, along with his key assistants, entered a house in significant numbers to conduct a search based on suspicion. The house seemed unassuming, and there were no apparent signs of militants taking shelter there. However, when more than a hundred police officers were inside the house, the militant Singhs, who had been hiding, suddenly opened fire with AK-47 rifles and other weapons. The police captain and security personnel had no chance to react, and chaos erupted as they scrambled to save their lives.

In this intense exchange of fire, Police Captain Rupinder Sinho, DSP Teja Sinho, ASI, and 36 other police officers, including Kashmir, lost their lives, while many others sustained injuries. Bhai Daljit Singh Raginpura and Bhai Param Singh Kalia Bahmani managed to escape the police encounter.

Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Pappu Gora seized the weapons of the fallen police officers, sought refuge in a Loi (a traditional men’s shawl), and used these weapons to eliminate the injured police officers. As he left the village, carrying the captured weapons, an undercover policeman fired at Bhai Sahib, hitting him in the thigh and crippling his leg. Unable to escape, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Pappu Gora chose to take his own life to avoid capture by the police and killed himself with his own bullet.

These events depict the real-life police encounters that took place, and the bravery of the Sikh militants was celebrated in newspapers, both domestically and internationally, on January 18, 1992. This heroic sacrifice by Bhai Sahib marked a significant step toward the realization of Khalistan.”

—Kharku Yodhe, Maninder Singh Baja, 2016