1984- Obeissance at Sri Darbar Sahib on 9 June 1984-1

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

1984- Obeissance at Sri Darbar Sahib on 9 June 1984-1
Col Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal​

I traveled by bus from Patiala and reached Sri Amritsar on 9 June 1984. The entire route was badly barricaded, and there were too many checks by soldiers and police. Every check made me feel as alien at the land that I had protected with my blood in 1965 and 1971. Feeling so belittled in my officer’s uniform by these cruel checks, I cursed the time when I planned to come, but knowing the facts was more important than my ego. However, this insult left a very bad scar on my mind to this date. I was hoping that Sri Darbar Sahib was not treated as badly as Patiala was treated. It was the day after Giani Zail Singh had visited the complex on 8 June 1984, and his bandwagon was stated to have been fired upon. From the deserted type bus stop, I came on the main road and found a military jeep, which had a Sikh engineer army officer in uniform as co-driver. I waved to him to stop. He was nice to give me a lift. I told him that I was sent by my unit to see Sri Darbar Sahib for myself to confirm that it has not been damaged and to tell the same back to my troops after having seen it on the ground. He was going to Darbar Sahib, as he had been assigned certain duties regarding clearing the debris and maintenance of structures. I asked him the details about the Army Attack on Sri Darbar Sahib.’ You can see for yourself." He was reluctant to come out openly and preferred to speak little in the presence of other troops. The jeep entered from Guru Nanak Sarai where Sant Bhindranwale camped initially in room no. 47.

He took me to the tower (Bunga) to give a view of the entire complex.

It was very badly damaged in the attack, and we were very cautious going up. At the top what I saw was shocking. I could see the smoke still close to the library area.

The left side of Deodhi Saab appeared to be blasted off. Akal Takhat was nearly demolished.

There were some soldiers still on pickets on the buildings surrounding Darbar Sahib complex.

​

Akal Takhat on 9 June 1984

I saw certain gears (graries) on the top. I asked as to what these were. He said, “These are gears of a fodder cutting machine. Probably they were brought if these could be modified to make some weapon. But these appear to have not been used.” I quizzed, “They have been showing lot of weapons with them. Did they have all these weapons?” He was clear, “I have been involved in clearance of the Gurdwara since 7 June. I have not found any complicated weapon or weapon of mass destruction. There could be no substantial weapons as stated. There were about 300 bodies littered all around the parikarma and about 50 bodies in Akal Takhat complex. Mostly they had local weapons. I also saw what was being projected on TV. I never found these in the complex” He was very clear in stating this. But this raised many questions. I asked, “How could they stand against this formidable Army at least a Division plus involved in attacking this complex.” He was uncritical in his answer, “I too do not understand this. Only I can say that they were too brave to stand such a great force. They cannot be more than 400 as could be seen from the bodies spread around. I do not think anyone could have escaped out of this from the hawk eyes of the Army when it was heavily barricaded and surrounded from all sides.”

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

1984—Obeissance at Darbar Sahib on 9 June 1984-2

1984-4 Sri Darbar Sahib (Continued)

Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal

​

We came down from Bunga Sahib and went towards the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex. At the gate towards the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee office, I found track marks of tanks on the stones, and a number of stones have been pressed into the ground. These marks were touching even the bank of the Sarovar. I was told that from the place in front of this gate on 6 June 1984, they fired tank shells on the Akal Takhat building, which pierced through the Darshni Deodi as well. This was why both the Darshani Deodi and Akal Takhat looked destroyed. He also told that there was a story afloat that a child with a bomb bound around his body jumped in to the turret of the tank, destroying it. It, however, could not be verified though there was one tank found stuck on 7th morning, which was towed out. Army is stated to have used 7 Vijayanta tanks.

While going by the Sarovar towards the monument commemorating Baba Deep Singh, the stench of some dead still spread around. Small fires could be seen near the library.

An odd body could be seen floating on 9th June as well. They would have taken out almost all bodies before the visit of President Giani Zail Singh, but an odd body that would have gone down into the water would have come up. The soldiers could be seen roaming all around, some even with their boots on. The officer asked them to remove these and re-enter. The response to the officer’s order was not taken as a respect and showed some arrogance. There appeared a wedge between the Sikh officers and troops and the troops from other religions. As walking on the parikarma, I found trenches made underground in the water channel of the Parikarma. I was astonished and enquired from the Officer. He was to quick to reply. These were the trenches planned specially by Major General Subegh Singh. Both Sant Bhindrawale and Maj gen Subegh Singh had ordered the fighters to fire the soldier on their knees so that they would remember for their life for attacking the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. They did not want any one to killed in the complex otherwise. These trenches were a real tactical innovatiom.



Reaching near Akal Takhat, I was aghast seeing the devastating scene all around. The area between the Akal Takhat and the Darshani Deodhi appeared to be the main battle ground. The officer told me: “Since the aim of the Army was to secure Sri Darbar Sahib without any damage and Akal Takhat in all possibility and clear of all terrorists (Sikh fighters) from the complex, maximum attention was paid to these places. Commando Paratroopers were dropped in this area but the fighters killed almost all. Since it was getting beyond the Army after a fight on 2, 3, 4 and 5th General Brar got permission from Delhi to blast off Akal Takhat with tanks and the Tanks were moved on 5-6 night. The devastating fire from tanks and 3.7” and 75/24 mm artillery Guns destroyed the entire building as you see it now. Darshani Deodhi was destroyed while tanks fired on Akal Takhat and there was no other way for the shell than to pierce through Darshani Deodhi as could be seen from the deployment of the tanks. The bodies of Sant Bhindranwale and Major General Subegh Singh along with others were found just in front of the Akal Talhat in this area. The area he showed me was where Dhadhis are seen singing Vaars these days. The body of Sant Bhindranwale was identified by his brother who was a JCO in Army. It was however given no respect and was removed in a truck meant for Waste Disposal. Watching this scene I did not know how many tears rolled from eyes. My handkerchief was fully wet however.

Entering into the devastated structure of Akal Takhat, I found pieces of burnt out Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, some burnt Rumalas, a few utensils and other items of usage. If there was any weapons or items of worth would have been removed by Army a day or two day before. This was the same place where he gave his last interviews to Mr Subhash Kirpekar as mentioned by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob (1985, p.145) or others on 2 June 1984 as mentioned by Harbir Singh Bhanwar in his ‘Diary de Panne,1999, p.31)

Debris was being cleared from Akal Takhat at the time. The officer gave directions to his troops for clearing and moced with me towards the sanctum sanctorum. As I looked toward the Darshni Deodi its western side had huge holes showing that tanks have passed through this Deodhi into Akal Takhat building. This building was the first to bear the brunt of tanks before it destroyed Akal Takhat. Whether the area from Deodhi Sahib to Sri darbar sahib was secured before or after destruction of Akal Takhat or killing of Sant Bhindranwale could not be assessed then. Entering the steps to Darbar Sahib, I collected the sweet moments when posted in Amritsar I regularly visited Darbar Sahib and compared the moments I was going through then. I found myself bleeding and crying from inside trying to hold ears to observe all what happened there.

The stench from the Sarovar was becoming unbearable. I paid my obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib with a heavy heart. I was shown the Beer Sahib kept in the upper storey where the Pathi (reader of Sri Guru Granth Sahib) was hit by a bullet while reciting from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His blood-ridden hand mark was printed on the page which he was reading. As a went around the building numerous marks of the bullets on the round Gumbad and walls of the building. On some bullet marks, I found red marks on a few bullets and written 1 June 1984. It showed that there have been regular firing even on 1st June though the actual assault started on 2nd -3rd June 1984 night.​

While praying at the sanctum sanctorum, I only recalled, ‘Eti mar payi kurlane, tain ki dard na aia?’

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

1984—Obeissance at Darbar Sahib on 9 June 1984-2

1984-4 Sri Darbar Sahib (Continued)

Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal
View attachment 23819​

We came down from Bunga Sahib and went towards the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex. At the gate towards the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee office, I found track marks of tanks on the stones, and a number of stones have been pressed into the ground. These marks were touching even the bank of the Sarovar. I was told that from the place in front of this gate on 6 June 1984, they fired tank shells on the Akal Takhat building, which pierced through the Darshni Deodi as well. This was why both the Darshani Deodi and Akal Takhat looked destroyed. He also told that there was a story afloat that a child with a bomb bound around his body jumped in to the turret of the tank, destroying it. It, however, could not be verified though there was one tank found stuck on 7th morning, which was towed out. Army is stated to have used 7 Vijayanta tanks.

View attachment 23820

While going by the Sarovar towards the monument commemorating Baba Deep Singh, the stench of some dead still spread around. Small fires could be seen near the library.

View attachment 23821

An odd body could be seen floating on 9th June as well. They would have taken out almost all bodies before the visit of President Giani Zail Singh, but an odd body that would have gone down into the water would have come up. The soldiers could be seen roaming all around, some even with their boots on. The officer asked them to remove these and re-enter. The response to the officer’s order was not taken as a respect and showed some arrogance. There appeared a wedge between the Sikh officers and troops and the troops from other religions. As walking on the parikarma, I found trenches made underground in the water channel of the Parikarma. I was astonished and enquired from the Officer. He was to quick to reply. These were the trenches planned specially by Major General Subegh Singh. Both Sant Bhindrawale and Maj gen Subegh Singh had ordered the fighters to fire the soldier on their knees so that they would remember for their life for attacking the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. They did not want any one to killed in the complex otherwise. These trenches were a real tactical innovatiom.



Reaching near Akal Takhat, I was aghast seeing the devastating scene all around. The area between the Akal Takhat and the Darshani Deodhi appeared to be the main battle ground. The officer told me: “Since the aim of the Army was to secure Sri Darbar Sahib without any damage and Akal Takhat in all possibility and clear of all terrorists (Sikh fighters) from the complex, maximum attention was paid to these places. Commando Paratroopers were dropped in this area but the fighters killed almost all. Since it was getting beyond the Army after a fight on 2, 3, 4 and 5th General Brar got permission from Delhi to blast off Akal Takhat with tanks and the Tanks were moved on 5-6 night. The devastating fire from tanks and 3.7” and 75/24 mm artillery Guns destroyed the entire building as you see it now. Darshani Deodhi was destroyed while tanks fired on Akal Takhat and there was no other way for the shell than to pierce through Darshani Deodhi as could be seen from the deployment of the tanks. The bodies of Sant Bhindranwale and Major General Subegh Singh along with others were found just in front of the Akal Talhat in this area. The area he showed me was where Dhadhis are seen singing Vaars these days. The body of Sant Bhindranwale was identified by his brother who was a JCO in Army. It was however given no respect and was removed in a truck meant for Waste Disposal. Watching this scene I did not know how many tears rolled from eyes. My handkerchief was fully wet however.

Entering into the devastated structure of Akal Takhat, I found pieces of burnt out Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, some burnt Rumalas, a few utensils and other items of usage. If there was any weapons or items of worth would have been removed by Army a day or two day before. This was the same place where he gave his last interviews to Mr Subhash Kirpekar as mentioned by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob (1985, p.145) or others on 2 June 1984 as mentioned by Harbir Singh Bhanwar in his ‘Diary de Panne,1999, p.31)

Debris was being cleared from Akal Takhat at the time. The officer gave directions to his troops for clearing and moced with me towards the sanctum sanctorum. As I looked toward the Darshni Deodi its western side had huge holes showing that tanks have passed through this Deodhi into Akal Takhat building. This building was the first to bear the brunt of tanks before it destroyed Akal Takhat. Whether the area from Deodhi Sahib to Sri darbar sahib was secured before or after destruction of Akal Takhat or killing of Sant Bhindranwale could not be assessed then. Entering the steps to Darbar Sahib, I collected the sweet moments when posted in Amritsar I regularly visited Darbar Sahib and compared the moments I was going through then. I found myself bleeding and crying from inside trying to hold ears to observe all what happened there.

The stench from the Sarovar was becoming unbearable. I paid my obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib with a heavy heart. I was shown the Beer Sahib kept in the upper storey where the Pathi (reader of Sri Guru Granth Sahib) was hit by a bullet while reciting from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His blood-ridden hand mark was printed on the page which he was reading. As a went around the building numerous marks of the bullets on the round Gumbad and walls of the building. On some bullet marks, I found red marks on a few bullets and written 1 June 1984. It showed that there have been regular firing even on 1st June though the actual assault started on 2nd -3rd June 1984 night.​

View attachment 23822View attachment 23823​

While praying at the sanctum sanctorum, I only recalled, ‘Eti mar payi kurlane, tain ki dard na aia?’

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

1984—Obeissance at Darbar Sahib on 9 June 1984-2

1984-4 Sri Darbar Sahib (Continued)

Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal
View attachment 23819​

We came down from Bunga Sahib and went towards the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex. At the gate towards the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee office, I found track marks of tanks on the stones, and a number of stones have been pressed into the ground. These marks were touching even the bank of the Sarovar. I was told that from the place in front of this gate on 6 June 1984, they fired tank shells on the Akal Takhat building, which pierced through the Darshni Deodi as well. This was why both the Darshani Deodi and Akal Takhat looked destroyed. He also told that there was a story afloat that a child with a bomb bound around his body jumped in to the turret of the tank, destroying it. It, however, could not be verified though there was one tank found stuck on 7th morning, which was towed out. Army is stated to have used 7 Vijayanta tanks.

View attachment 23820

While going by the Sarovar towards the monument commemorating Baba Deep Singh, the stench of some dead still spread around. Small fires could be seen near the library.

View attachment 23821

An odd body could be seen floating on 9th June as well. They would have taken out almost all bodies before the visit of President Giani Zail Singh, but an odd body that would have gone down into the water would have come up. The soldiers could be seen roaming all around, some even with their boots on. The officer asked them to remove these and re-enter. The response to the officer’s order was not taken as a respect and showed some arrogance. There appeared a wedge between the Sikh officers and troops and the troops from other religions. As walking on the parikarma, I found trenches made underground in the water channel of the Parikarma. I was astonished and enquired from the Officer. He was to quick to reply. These were the trenches planned specially by Major General Subegh Singh. Both Sant Bhindrawale and Maj gen Subegh Singh had ordered the fighters to fire the soldier on their knees so that they would remember for their life for attacking the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. They did not want any one to killed in the complex otherwise. These trenches were a real tactical innovatiom.



Reaching near Akal Takhat, I was aghast seeing the devastating scene all around. The area between the Akal Takhat and the Darshani Deodhi appeared to be the main battle ground. The officer told me: “Since the aim of the Army was to secure Sri Darbar Sahib without any damage and Akal Takhat in all possibility and clear of all terrorists (Sikh fighters) from the complex, maximum attention was paid to these places. Commando Paratroopers were dropped in this area but the fighters killed almost all. Since it was getting beyond the Army after a fight on 2, 3, 4 and 5th General Brar got permission from Delhi to blast off Akal Takhat with tanks and the Tanks were moved on 5-6 night. The devastating fire from tanks and 3.7” and 75/24 mm artillery Guns destroyed the entire building as you see it now. Darshani Deodhi was destroyed while tanks fired on Akal Takhat and there was no other way for the shell than to pierce through Darshani Deodhi as could be seen from the deployment of the tanks. The bodies of Sant Bhindranwale and Major General Subegh Singh along with others were found just in front of the Akal Talhat in this area. The area he showed me was where Dhadhis are seen singing Vaars these days. The body of Sant Bhindranwale was identified by his brother who was a JCO in Army. It was however given no respect and was removed in a truck meant for Waste Disposal. Watching this scene I did not know how many tears rolled from eyes. My handkerchief was fully wet however.

Entering into the devastated structure of Akal Takhat, I found pieces of burnt out Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, some burnt Rumalas, a few utensils and other items of usage. If there was any weapons or items of worth would have been removed by Army a day or two day before. This was the same place where he gave his last interviews to Mr Subhash Kirpekar as mentioned by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob (1985, p.145) or others on 2 June 1984 as mentioned by Harbir Singh Bhanwar in his ‘Diary de Panne,1999, p.31)

Debris was being cleared from Akal Takhat at the time. The officer gave directions to his troops for clearing and moced with me towards the sanctum sanctorum. As I looked toward the Darshni Deodi its western side had huge holes showing that tanks have passed through this Deodhi into Akal Takhat building. This building was the first to bear the brunt of tanks before it destroyed Akal Takhat. Whether the area from Deodhi Sahib to Sri darbar sahib was secured before or after destruction of Akal Takhat or killing of Sant Bhindranwale could not be assessed then. Entering the steps to Darbar Sahib, I collected the sweet moments when posted in Amritsar I regularly visited Darbar Sahib and compared the moments I was going through then. I found myself bleeding and crying from inside trying to hold ears to observe all what happened there.

The stench from the Sarovar was becoming unbearable. I paid my obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib with a heavy heart. I was shown the Beer Sahib kept in the upper storey where the Pathi (reader of Sri Guru Granth Sahib) was hit by a bullet while reciting from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His blood-ridden hand mark was printed on the page which he was reading. As a went around the building numerous marks of the bullets on the round Gumbad and walls of the building. On some bullet marks, I found red marks on a few bullets and written 1 June 1984. It showed that there have been regular firing even on 1st June though the actual assault started on 2nd -3rd June 1984 night.​

View attachment 23822View attachment 23823​

While praying at the sanctum sanctorum, I only recalled, ‘Eti mar payi kurlane, tain ki dard na aia?’

(Chapter of my Published book Recollections of Ghallughara, 1984)​