Six Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bravehearts , including four posthumously, were decorated with gallantry medals by President Droupadi Murmu during a defence investiture ceremony held in Rashratpati Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. These bravehearts were honored for their exceptional valor during three different operations in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Assistant Commandant Bibhor Kumar Singh and Constable Gamit Mukesh Kumar were awarded the Shaurya Chakra , a military honor and the third highest peacetime award whereas four bravehearts awarded (posthumously) with Kirti Chakras are Inspector Dilip Kumar Das , Head Constable Raj Kumar Yadav, Constable Bablu Rabha and Constable Shambhu Roy.
Kirti Chakra Awardees:
During the ceremony, four CRPF bravehearts were posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for their valor in the fight against Maoists in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on 3rd April 2021. On that day, a joint anti-Maoist operation was launched in the Silger Forest area under the jurisdiction of Police Station Tarrem involving troops from 210 CoBRA, 241 Battalion and the Chhattisgarh Police. The operation took a grim turn when the Maoists ambushed the troops with indiscriminate gunfire and grenades.
Despite the overwhelming and perilous situation, the troops displayed exceptional courage, countering the initial attack and retaliating with determination. They fought bravely for six hours, inflicting heavy casualties on the Maoists, who eventually fled the scene. In this fierce battle, 22 warriors, including seven from 210 CoBRA and one from 241 Bn, made the ultimate sacrifice. In recognition of their extraordinary bravery, four of the above mentioned bravehearts were posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra on 15 August 2023.
According to a press release the President of India awarded the Kirti Chakra to the family members of these four bravehearts: Veer Nari Smt. Pranjali Das, wife of Shaheed Insp. Dilip Kumar Das; Veer Nari Smt. Gyanmati Yadav, wife of Shaheed HC Raj Kumar Yadav, Veer Nari Smt. Lipika Rabha, wife of Shaheed Ct Bablu Rabha, and his mother Kalyani Rabha; and Smt. Anjuli Roy, mother of Shaheed Ct Shambhu Roy.
Shaurya Chakra Awardees:
On 25th February 2022, a special Search and Destroy operation was launched in the Chhakarbandha forest area under Police Station Madanpur of Aurangabad district. This operation involved 205 CoBRA, 47 Battalin of CRPF and Bihar Police. As the troops approached their target, Maoists opened fire. Demonstrating unwavering determination, Assistant Commandant Bibhor Kumar Singh led a flanking attack, causing the Maoists to retreat. Despite being gravely injured by an IED and losing his left leg Mr. Singh , a commando of the CRPF’s CoBRA battalion continued to lead his troops, securing a dominant position and recovering IED-making materials. For his exceptional bravery, Bibhor Kumar Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 2023.
On 19th December 2021, a joint anti-terrorist operation involving Valley QAT, the Army, and Jammu Kashmir Police was launched in the Darbagh area under Police Station Harwan in Srinagar. Acting on intelligence, a House Intervention Team (HIT) was formed to neutralize a terrorist hiding in a house. Constable Gamit Mukesh Kumar and his fellow trooper engaged the terrorist in hand-to-hand combat, forcing him out of the house. Amid gunfire, Constable Gamit Mukesh Kumar displayed unmatched courage, ultimately eliminating the terrorist. A significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered. For his bravery, Constable Gamit Mukesh Kumar was awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 2023.
