On its Shaurya Divas, PM Modi lauds CRPF for service to nation
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the courage of Central Reserve Police Force personnel on the organisation’s ‘shaurya divas’ or valour day.
“The courage of @crpfindia is widely known. On CRPF Valour Day today, I salute this brave force and remember the bravery of our CRPF personnel in Gujarat’s Sardar Patel Post in 1965,” the prime minister wrote on Twitter. He said the sacrifices of themartyrs will never be forgotten.
According to the CRPF website, on April 9, 1965 a small contingent of the 2nd battalion of the CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani brigade (over 3000 personnel) on Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, eliminating 34 Pakistani soldiers and capturing four alive. “Never in the history of military battles have a handful of policemen fought back a full–fledged infantry brigade in such a manner,” it said.
In the conflict, six CRPF men were also killed. As a tribute to the saga of the brave men, April 9 is celebrated as “Valour Day” in the force.
President Ram Nath Kovind said the Central Reserve Police Force men, who were killed in action, wrote a “golden history” on this day with their extraordinary bravery, patriotism and sacrifice.
Union home minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter and saluted the bravehearts. “Symbols of indomitable courage, valour and sacrifice, Congratulations to all on CRPF ‘Shaurya Divas’ and salute to our brave martyrs,” he wrote.
CRPF director general (DG), A P Maheshwari said the force is all geared to “fight the invisible and invasive enemy” in the form of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
In a communication to his troops, he said, “Dear friends, when going gets tough, the tough gets going. Toughness is our trademark...today, the entire nation is facing a tough time due to Covid-19. I am happy that being tough yourself, you all have geared up to help people fight the invisible and invasive enemy,” he said.
The DG said “all programmes related to the day are for the time being suspended” in view of the viral outbreak.