New York, USA: The Sikh Federation America has issued a statement paying tributes of Bhai Mehal Singh Babbar who passed away in exile in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan on 24th March 2025. The statement issued by Sikh Federation America reads, in verbatim, as follows:
Press Note — April 3, 2025
One of the leading generals of Babbar Khalsa, Bhai Mehal Singh Ji Babbar, has recently departed for the eternal abode of Guru Sahib. Bhai Sahib was born in the village of Dasuwal in Sri Amritsar Sahib, in the respected household of Bapu Jind Singh Ji. He was the elder brother of Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar, the founder of Babbar Khalsa. Bhai Sahib dedicated 50 years of his life to the struggle for the freedom of the Sikh nation and continued fighting until his final breath.
In 1974, he met Shaheed Bhai Foja Singh, and became part of the Sikh awakening movement ‘Chalda Vaheer’ led by Bhai Foja Singh from 1974 to 1978 in the Majha region. Serving among five Singhs, he helped initiate Sikhs into the Khalsa through the Khande di Pahul (baptism ceremony). Warriors like Shaheed Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar, Shaheed Bhai Sulakhan Singh Babbar, and Shaheed Bhai Balwinder Singh Nagoke received Khande di Pahul from him during his sewa as one of the five Singhs.
On Vaisakhi 1978, after witnessing the brutal martyrdom of Bhai Foja Singh and other Singhs at the hands of the Narakdharis (heretics), he vowed to fight those responsible and to struggle for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland, Khalistan—a commitment he honored until his last breath. In 1981, under the leadership of Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar, he and other Singhs attacked IAS Niranjan Singh, a close ally of Narakdhari Gurbachan and a collaborator in the 1978 killings of Sikhs. While Niranjan survived the attack, his brother was killed. After this action, Bhai Sahib left his job as an engineer in the Indian Air Force and renounced his family life, choosing to go underground.
During the Indian army’s assault on Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), he stood alongside fellow Babbars in armed resistance. He was instrumental in setting up a small arms manufacturing workshop in one of the rooms along the Parikarma (circumambulation path). On June 5th, near Gurdwara Atal Rai Sahib, facing Sri Darbar Sahib, he and other Babbar Khalsa Singhs, under Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar’s leadership, took an oath: “From this day forward, we consider ourselves already dead. We will now spend the rest of our lives avenging the enemies of the Sikh nation and working toward the establishment of Khalistan.” This message was sent back home by Bhai Sahib and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar. Their respected father even performed their final Ardas (prayer) while they were still alive.
Bhai Sahib was deeply respected across all militant Sikh organizations and was always addressed as Bhai Sahib by all Singhs. He was responsible for recruiting and training new Singhs within Babbar Khalsa. He played a key role in several operations conducted by the organization. For instance, during the mission to shut down the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, although led by Bhai Balwinder Singh Jatana, the reconnaissance and groundwork were entirely carried out by Bhai Sahib.
While living in exile in West Punjab (now in Pakistan), he also led the restoration (kar seva) of several historic Gurdwaras. On one occasion, when a Singh remarked, “Bhai Sahib, we couldn’t win the war,” Bhai Sahib replied, “We may not have won the war, but we never abandoned it. When the time pleases the Almighty, the world will surely witness Khalsa rule.”
Bhai Sahib always immersed in the divine, we from the Sikh Federation America pay our heartfelt tribute to this great general of Khalistan. We also extend this message to the entire Sikh nation: With Guru Sahib’s grace and the legacy of warriors like Bhai Sahib, the fight for Sikh independence shall continue until the dream of Khalistan is realized.
Sikh Federation America
ਪੰਜਬਾੀ ਵਿਚ ਪੜ੍ਹੋ – ਮਰਹੂਮ ਜਲਾਵਤਨੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਆਗੂ ਭਾਈ ਮਹਿਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੱਬਰ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖ ਫੈਡਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਂਜਲੀ
