June 3rd 1984

The fierce and fortified khalsa

Sikh fighters remain vigilant in their elevated positions around the Parkarma. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji and the military commander of the Khalsa Fauj General Shabeg Singh lead the defence from Sri Akal Takhat.

The Khalsa Fauj knew the main attack was imminent. All necessary fortifications were made in strategic buildings, including Sri Akal Takht, Darshani Deori, the Parkarma and the Ramgharia Bungeh, which alongside the water tank near Guru Ram Das Serai and Teja Samundri Hall, served as the vantage points for the Sikh fighters. 

General Shabeg Singh gives the order to shoot on sight from the Parkarma by unleashing a burst from his sten gun. The Indian forces storm Sri Darbar Sahib and are greeted with a storm of bullets. The Indian army take heavy losses and are unable to gain any ground, they call for reinforcements, desertion rife throughout their ranks. Helicopter gunships attempt to deploy elite troops and are met with fierce resistance which eliminates all the soldiers attempting to land.

The battle has already gone further than the Indian forces had expected, and they find the Sikh resistance overwhelming. Fearing a mass revolt all rail, bus and air services are suspended. Road blocks set up by the Indian forces surrounding Amritsar and the border with Pakistan in Gurdaspur is sealed. A total media blackout is imposed across the state to keep millions of Sikhs from rushing to the defence of Sri Darbar Sahib. 

The Sikh response to the launch of the main attack on June 3rd:
SONGS OF THE STRUGGLE