It was on this day in the year 1965, when two companies of 2nd Battalion of CRPF repulsed the 3500 men strong Pakistani Brigade at Sardar Post in Gujarat in which 34 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 06 valiant CRPF personnel laid down their lives at the call of duty. In commemoration of the sacrifices made by our soldiers and courage rendered, 9th April is celebrated as ‘Valour Day’ in CRPF. Pakistan launched ‘Operation Desert Hawk’ against Indian Border Posts. Head Constable Ranjit Singh was on duty manning a Machine Gun on the evening of 09th April 1965. Pakistani Army opened up with Mortars and shells of 25 pounders. The CRPF personnel deployed took their positions and retaliated with baited breath and allowed the enemy to close in. Head Constable Bhawana Ram collected all the grenades and kept on throwing one after another thereby forcing the enemy to close in. The retaliation by CRPF troops was so magnificent that it inflicted a profound shock to the enemy, that despite being numerically and tactically superior to 2 coys of CRPF’s 2nd Battalion, the enemy retreated.
Voicing his sentiments on the heroic deed of CRPF at Sardar Post, the then Home Minister Late. Gulzari Lal Nanda had expressed, “I would like to pay the gallantry of police force at the Sardar Post which for over 12 hours heroically defended against such heavy odds and repulsed the attack by two Battalions of Pakistani army.”Be them L&O problems of Heavy Stone pelting or Counter-Militancy-Insurgency Operations, CRPF has been a key performer in every such effort of maintaining peace and order in the Nation. To the people of Valley, CRPF is always committed to its very purpose i.e. “PEACE KEEPING”. Celebration of Valour’s Day in RTC CRPF Humhama, Srinagar is a platform where the courageous and brave officers and men are decorated with Discs and medals in order to appreciate their selfless service to the nation. In one of the most fascinating Medals and DG Discs awarding ceremony held at RTC Humhama, Officers and personnel of CRPF deployed in Kashmir valley were felicitated with Internal Security Medals, DG’s Commendation Disc and Appreciation Letters for their excellence in operational duties of Internal Security.
The event was presided over by S.K. Bhagat, IPS, Special DG-CRPF (J&K Zone).Altogether 12 Wound medals, 74 Internal Security Medals and 166 DG’s Commendation Discs and Appreciation letters were presented to Officers and personnel. Besides, Atul Karwal, IPS, IG CRPF, Srinagar Sector, Chhaju Ram, DIG CRPF, Srinagar Sector HQ, Sanjeev Dhundia, DIG CRPF Srinagar (North), K.K. Sharma DIG CRPF Srinagar (South), Mahesh Kumar, DIG/Principal RTC CRPF Humhama, Pukhraj Jaipal, DIG GC CRPF Rambag, Commandants, other Officers and personnel of CRPF, Media persons and other dignitaries also graced the occasion with their presence. Besides, same occasion was celebrated in all units and establishments of CRPF in Kashmir where Unit/Establishments personnel were awarded Internal Security Medals.
While addressing Officers, Media and Awardees on the occasion, Bhagat said, “CRPF is always well prepared to counter all kinds of internal security issues. It is an established fact, that wherever CRPF has been deployed across the Nation, Normalcy has always been restored and maintained in due course of time. We are always updated both tactically and strategically as well. In future too, we’ll maintain our perseverance in discharge of our duties as a Peace Keeper.”Born as Crown Representative’s Police in 1939, CRPF has been the leading and most trusted Force of the Union of India. Maintenance of Internal Security of the nation is a task comprising innumerable challenging fronts and impediments. However with it’s very objective of selfless Service to the Nation, CRPF will always remain firm on its commitment to preserve the integrity and sovereignty of our Nation. (KNS)