In keeping with the highest traditions of ultimate bravery and self sacrifice for the sake of the motherland, this time too, the brave hearts of the Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) have been bestowed with as many as 47 gallantry medals. It includes two Kirti Chakras, one Sahurya Chakra, three President's Police Medal for Gallantry and 41 Police Medals for Gallantry. This is a reiteration of the supreme sacrifice and patriotic fervor of the personnel of the CRPF, which happens to be the highest decorated Force among all the in the country.
The two Kirti Chakra awardees namely Saheed Constable Pradip Kumar Panda, 132 Bn, Saheed Constable Rajendra Kumar Nain, 130 Bn and one Shaurya Chakra awardee Zile Singh, Assistant Commandant, had shown exemplary bravery in the deadly fidayeen attack on the CRPF camp at Lethpora in the Awantipura district of south Kashmir on December 30, 2017. The over 36 hours long grueling effort of the valiant men of CRPF in neutralising the three militants had also witnessed the martyrdom of five brave hearts including the two Kirti Chakra awardees and injuries to two other gallant men of the Force. These three main architects of the daring operation along with the other brave men of the Force had succeeded not only in eliminating all the three militants but also in saving the lives of their fellow mates and the family members of Force personnel living in the residential quarters inside the camp.
The gallant men of CRPF had another close brush with the fidayeens on August 26, 2017 when three terrorists barged into the premises of the District Police Line, Pulwama in the wee hours. The treacherous fidayeen attack was effectively foiled by the Force personnel in a more than 20 hour long, well planned and deftly executed operation, leading to the elimination of all the three militants. The incident was witness to the raw courage and rare commitment of brave hearts like Saheed constable Mohd. Yaseen Tali of 115 Bn, Saheed constable Borase Dinesh Dipak of 25 Bn and Saheed constable Jaswant Singh of 183 Bn, all of whom chose to put the cause of the motherland over and above their own personal safety and attained martyrdom.
Because of their supreme sacrifice these bravehearts of the Force were awarded with the prestigious President's Police Medal for Gallantry posthumously. These three brave men of CRPF are the only ones to be bestowed with the President's Police Medals for Gallantry. Out of 146 personnel selected for Police medals for Gallantry, CRPF tops the list with as many as 41 brave hearts receiving the prestigious recognition.
