Surinder Singh Sodhi

Sodhi was born in 1962 in a Bains Jat sikh of village Bulowal, Hoshiarpur District.

He took Amrit and became a Khalsa early in his life.

By 10, he had memorized the entire Nitnem.

His raw name was Sodhi a shortened version of his name Surinder Singh.

Sodhi also became a member of Harian Bela Nihang Dal where he learned Gatka, but would leave soon after and join Damdami Taksal where he would get full Santhiya of Guru Granth Sahib.

Not much is known about Sodhi's early life.

He was a radio mechanic in his twenties and was said to be a fine marksman.

He was known for his skill in driving motorcycles.

His friends would say that he had a tape of kirtan playing everywhere he would go.

When asked why, Sodhi would say, "No one knows what may happen, when death will come. I want a peaceful death. If I get killed, at least my ears will be filled with the sound of kirtan, not the sound of bullets."

Following the 1978 Sikh–Nirankari clash, which saw 13 Sikh killed and 150 injured, Nirankari were expelled by the Akal Takht out of the Sikh fold and became a target of attacks.

Sodhi and Labh Singh had disguised themselves as police.

On August 27, 1981, Surinder Singh Sodhi would be involved in a clash with Nirankaris.

A group of Nirankaris allegedly made disrespectful remarks about the Chola of Sodhi and some Nihangs.

In response, Sodhi grabbed a rake and began beating the group, injuring 15 and leading to his arrest.

The officer who had arrested Sodhi would be called by Bhindranwale, who demanded the immediate release of Sodhi.

The arresting officer would comply and Sodhi would be released.

The first time Sodhi met Bhindranwale after his release they are said to have hugged each other.

Bhindranwale praised Sodhi for his work.

Sodhi would quickly become close to Bhindranwale, eventually becoming his chief bodyguard and transport minister for his ability to drive anything from a scooter to an airplane.

Sodhi was dubbed by Bhindranwale as his right-hand man and right arm.

He was valued by Bhindranwale for his expertise in weapons and was the only Sikh with Bhindranwale who could use an RPG.

He was praised by Bhindranwale for his ability to ride a motorcycle with excellence.

It is said that around this time Sodhi spent 3 months in simran not eating or sleeping.

Sodhi was said to have never turned down a mission given by Bhindranwale or fired a bullet at an "innocent".

In 1981, Sodhi, under orders from Bhindranwale, bought 18 pistols and a plethora of ammunition near the Nepal border with another Sikh.

Sodhi was pulled over and arrested in Sonipat, Haryana.

He was charged for smuggling weapons.

Sodhi was soon bailed out by the family of the fellow militant arrested for 50,000 rupees.

(Equivalent to 1 million rupees in 2023, or US$12,500 in 2023)

On September 28, 1981, damage was done to the railway track between Nasrala and Sham Churasi railway station in Hoshiarpur.

Sodhi would be arrested for this.

Sodhi would be tortured while in jail by the SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) of Hoshiarpur District, Avtar Singh Atwal.

After being transferred to Jalandhar Jail and a year since his arrest Sodhi would be bailed out by a local resident.

Sodhi would not show up to his scheduled hearing and became wanted by police.

On August 4, 1982, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, with Harchand Singh Longowal, launched Dharam Yudh Morcha.

Sodhi was released after the Morcha began and joined the Morcha out of genuine conviction.

On October 27, 1982, Surinder Singh Sodhi, and Labh Singh killed Resham Singh.

Resham was the Sant Nirankari head of Hoshiarpur District and 1 of the 7 Sant Nirankari stars which were the Sant Nirankari version of the Panj Pyare.

Surinder Singh Sodhi (c. 1962 – 14 April 1984) was a Sikh militant known for being the chief bodyguard, chief hitman, transport minister, and right-hand man of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.