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Prime VIP
On this date, 28th February 1993, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal died fighting for Sikh indepedendence. Surrounded by Indian security forces, this legendary hero preferred death to surrender.
Baba GURBACHAN SINGH MANOCHAHAL: Born on June 6, 1954 at Manochahal village in Amritsar district, he joined the Indian Army but left it to join the ranks of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. After operation Bluestar he organized an underground Sikh movement for Khalsitan in the villages around Amritsar and Gurdaspur. In 1986, he was made the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat and in April 1986 he made a formal anouncement of "Khalistan" from the Darbar Sahib complex.
baba Manochahal was responsible for the formation of the first Panthic Committee which guided the underground movement for many years. In 1987, he formed the "Bhindrawale Tiger Force" with the cooperation of Bhai Wasson Singh Jaffarwal. However the two parted ways later and formed separate groups. He had become a source of terror to the security forces and a refuge to the hopeless rural folks who suffered atrocities at the hand of police and Government agencies. He was very popular among the people of Amritsar district and admired for his humilty and simple living. He lived a stoic life, always on the move, hounded by India's security forces. The Government had placed an award of Rs. 25,00,000 on his head.
He scorned Government's offer of surrender saying, "I would prefer death over surrender." On Feb. 28, 1993, he had his tryst with destiny on the battlefield - the wish of all warriors.
For his detailed story, click this link: Sikh Freedom Home Page - Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal
