He also served years in the Indian armed forces where they saw intense fighting, He was renowned to be a skilled marksmen who had killed many enemies in battle.
Subsequently, during the time, Baba Surjit Singh arrested for a short period until their release in response to protests by Nihangs.
He was allegedly the main perpetrator in the Patiala Bagichi Nihang Kaand, which claimed the lives of the family members of Baba Balbir Singh.
This dispute has led to the many divisions in Budha Dal today with different factions claiming their own Jathedars.
On September 3, 2014, Baba Surjeet Singh passed away at the age of 69 and his funeral was held at Gurdwara Lakhi Jungle near Bathinda.