New Delhi: CRPF officer Naresh Kumar created history Friday by receiving his 7th police gallantry medal in four years. Kumar is now the CRPF officer with the highest number of police gallantry medals in the history of the force, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and spokesperson M. Dinakaran told ThePrint.
The police gallantry medals were announced by the Union Home Ministry Friday, on the eve of the 74th Independence Day. The list has 926 awards, including 215 police medals for gallantry, 80 President’s Police Medals, and 631 police medals for meritorious service.
An assistant commandant, Kumar, 35, was awarded his previous gallantry medal on 26 January 2020 for leading the team that killed three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists at Srinagar’s Chattabal. The latest medal is for an October 2017 operation against a fidayeen (suicide) attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists on a BSF camp, located near the high-security Srinagar International Airport. Three terrorists were killed in the operation.
Speaking to ThePrint Friday, Kumar said the announcement was yet to sink in. A third-generation officer from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, Kumar said joining the forces had been his dream since childhood.
“My grandfather, father, uncles, and many other family members have served in the forces. I was in Class 12 when my father retired as an honorary captain from the Indian Army. As he was leaving the forces with three stars on his shoulders, I promised him that I will join them with three on mine,” he added.
Kumar, an engineering graduate from Patiala’s Punjabi University, cleared the CRPF Assistant Commandant exam, conducted by the UPSC, in his first attempt and joined the force in 2013.
He was posted in Jammu and Kashmir until last year, when he was transferred to Delhi. His roles in Kashmir included leading the CRPF Valley QAT (Quick Action Team), which has alone been awarded over 15 gallantry medals this year.
Also Read: ‘Multiple’ India-China clashes occurred along LAC in May and June, some lasted all night
Big tally for CRPF
Police gallantry awards are awarded to members of the police forces and central armed police forces/security organisations for displaying gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals.
The CRPF has won 55 medals this year, becoming the most decorated central armed police force. While 41 of the medals are for operations in Jammu and Kashmir, 14 are for battling Naxalites in Chhattisgarh.
Among states and union territories, Jammu & Kashmir has bagged the maximum number of police gallantry medals (81). Uttar Pradesh and Delhi follow with 23 and 16, respectively.
Also Read: Ashok Chakra to Hemant Karkare shows why India must overhaul its gallantry award system