Forces involved in J&K ops steal show
NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir stole the show after the Centre announced a slew of gallantry medals to be conferred on police officials involved in anti-militancy operations in the Valley.
More than half of the Police Medals for Gallantry to be awarded on this year’s Republic Day have gone to personnel of J&K police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) who were part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the region. Out of the 107 gallantry awards announced, 38 will be given to J&K police officials and 28 to CRPF personnel posted in Kashmir. This marks a 20% increase as compared to last year.
Altogether 795 police personnel have been named as awardees in different categories, including 75 for distinguished services and 613 for meritorious services.
CRPF has received a total of 35 gallantry medals for their performance in different parts of the country, including regions hit by Maoists.
“Among the 107 gallantry awards, 66 are from J&K region, 35 from the areas affected by Leftwing Extremism and three from the North-east,” said Kumar Alok, joint secretary in MHA.
A senior home ministry official said, “bravery and sacrifices” of officials posted in J&K has been specially recognised owing to the success they achieved while fighting local and foreign militants in “adverse conditions”. Among those awarded the medal include officials involved in the Awantipora encounter in March 2017 in which two high-profile militants — Aquib Ahmad Bhat of Hizbul Mujahideen and Abu Hamas alias Saifullah of Jaish e Mohammad — were killed. Hamas was considered to be a close associate of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin. Officials involved in other major encounters that took place in Kashmir, such as one in Pulwama, Anantnag and Awantipora were also awarded.
Three IPS officers — Raees Mohammad, Tejinder Singh, Sridhar Patil — all posted in J&K, were also awarded. IPS officer M Rajkumar in Maharashtra and Prabhat Kumar in Jharkhand are the other two officers to receive the award.