June 1st 1984

courage and discipline

On June 1st 1984 the Indian state put into motion an attack plan that they had spent over a year preparing in military encampments in the Doon Valley where a complete replica of the Sri Darbar Sahib site had been constructed. The aim was to crush Sikh leadership, our Sikhi spirit, and the political agitations that had been emanating from Sri Darbar Sahib.

Over 75,000 Indian troops had been inserted into Punjab with thousands positioned in Amritsar and the surrounding area.

In continuation of the Indian states unchecked aggression against Sikhs on June 1st Indian forces took final positions around Sri Darbar Sahib. In order to demoralise Sikh defenders Indian troops began firing indiscriminately into the Sikh Sangat.

The defending Singhs were under strict orders not to fire unless they came under direct attack themselves. The first Shaheedi of the battle took place as Bhai Mengha Singh Babbar, exemplifying the spirit of Sikh resistance, stood up revealing his position, to open fire on the attacking soliders in retaliation for their brutality.

The conduct of the defending Sikhs began and continued in this honourable manner as the objective for the Khalsa Fauj was to make a stand as Sikhs of the Guru for their Sikhi Sidhant (philosophy/principals).