Sukhwinder Singh Sangha

Sukhwinder Singh Sangha (3 February 1965 - 3 November 1990) was a Sikh militant (kharku), the head of a faction of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan during the insurgency in Punjab, India.

Sangha was a popular Kharku, known for his help of civilians. He was awarded the title of the "20th-century Hari Singh Nalwa" by Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organizations (jathas).

Early life Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was born on 3 February 1965, to Gulzar Singh and Mahinder Kaur in the village Sangha near Tarn Taran. He was the eldest of 5 siblings. Sangha was born in a farming family and became a farmer at a young age. Sangha took Amrit at a young age. Sangha received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Sri Guru Arjan Dev College.

Sangha began listening to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's speeches and sermons and soon after joined Amrik Singh's All India Sikh Student Federation. Thru, and Sangha were also involved in killings of looters in Majha. Sangha soon met Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, the head of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan. Sangha joined BTFK and became its Lieutenant General. Sangha led the day-to-day operations of BTFK and led 50-80 Kharkus.

On 26 January 1988, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing eight Black Cats. Sangha alleged in a press note that the eight had sent letters in his name attempting to extort people. Sangha said that they were killed as they went to take 500,000 rupees from a family they had sent extortion letters to.

On 29 May 1988, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 4 and injuring 4 on 28 May 1988, in Hoshiarpur for celebrating Operation Black Thunder. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing 1 Nirankari in Phagwara, and claimed responsibility for killing 3 and injuring 2 people in 2 separate incidents for alleged blasphemy and anti-Sikh acts.

On 22 October 1988, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was surrounded by police in Turr while eating at a home of a pro-Kharku family. The police opened unprovoked fire on Sangha and the residents of the home and Sangha responded killing 3 officers and fleeing with the pro-Kharku family in order to ensure their protection.

Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 2 Homeguards in Dublia on 20 March 1989. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing 2 soldiers in Lanbhi Bhai and 1 soldier in Samadhur. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing police informants in Herna Thava.

On 8 April 1989, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing 6 police informants of one family in Jaspal. One of the killed had recently been released from Jodhpur Prison after a 5 year sentence.

Encounter in Mussa On 24 June 1989, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was involved in a fierce encounter at Mussa near Tarn Taran. The night before a police informant informed Superintendent of Police (Operations) Avtar Singh Chhetra that Sangha was in the village Mussa. Chettra decided to wait until the morning to surround Mussa believing the Kharkus would manage to slip away in the night. Chhetra surrounded Mussa with a combined force of Punjab Police, Central Reserve Police Force and CRPF Commandos. Chhetra led the operation with CRPF head of Punjab Deputy Inspector General Sarbdeep Singh Virk and Punjab Police head of Tarn Taran district Senior Superintendent of Police Baldev Singh.

Chhetra called for the Kharkus to surrender, but the Kharkus did not surrender. As the CRPF and Police force moved towards the Kharkus, Sangha and the others opened fire. The encounter continued for 10 hours and ended at 6:30 after DIG Virk and SSP Baldev Singh brought reinforcements.

Separation with Manochahal In February 1990 Sangha left Manochahal's BTFK and formed his own faction with most of the Kharkus previously under his command. Sangha first associated himself with Khalistan Commando Force of Wasssan Singh Zaffarwal, but later in October 1990 joined the Sohan Sigh Panthic Committee consisting of Khalistan Liberation Force, Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar), Babbar Khalsa International, and Sikh Student Federation (Bittu). To fund his newly created group Sangha mortgaged his land for 60,000 rupees. He is said to have spent the money to buy better equipment and guns for his men.

On 6 April 1990, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha claimed responsibility for killing five BSF soldiers near Hoshiarpur. On 20 April Sangha claimed responsibility for killing Communist leader Hardev Singh. Hardev had been lured and then kidnapped by Sangha’s men acting as reporters. He was decapitated and his head was hung on a community gate as a warning to communists who opposed the Insurgency. Sangha also issued a warning to those who loot innocents and do extortions. On 27 April Sangha claimed responsibility for the Sarpanch of Bibi Pur, Ram Lal. Sangha said that he had joined Congress and for that was killed.

On 25 May 1990, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing Communist leader Kartar Chand near Nurpur Thana. Sangha also claimed responsibility for killing a soldier named Bhag Singh in Uaid. Sangha stated Bhag Singh was a rapists and thus killed as punishment.

On 29 June 1990, Sukhwinder Singh Sangha was involved in a 2 hour encounter in Gill Varech in Amristar district. Sangha survived the encounter injured and killed several officers. An associate of Sangha died in the encounter.

On 31 August 1990, Sangha claimed responsibility for killing a police constable. He also claimed responsibility for destroying BSF jeeps and killing BSF near Nakodar and for killing a looter.

Death

On 3 November 1990 Sukhwinder Singh Sangha died in a fierce encounter with police. Punjab Police, CRPF, and other security forces under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (Operations) Harjit Singh received a tip off from an informant that Sangha was in the village Bhullar. Harjit led a large security force,

On 12 November Akhand Paths in memory of Sangha ended and a Shaheedi Samagam (Martyr Gathering) was held for Sangha. Despite roadblocks being set across Punjab thousands of Sikhs arrived. Damdami Taksal, Jathedars, Kharkus, Kar Seva, Akali Dal and other Sikh groups took part. They awarded Sangha with the title of "20th-century Hari Singh Nalwa". Nirmal Singh Chohla, a Kavishir, sang a Vaar in honor of Sangha and later released it as an album.