Yougal Manhas
October 21 is commemorated as Police Martyrs Day, the day, which speaks of supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. On this day we salute the sacrifices of all those Martyrs who held duty above their lives. In the year 1959, a patrolling party of CRPF was ambushed by Chinese PLA near Hot Springs Changthang Ladakh. The mausoleum of these martyrs near Hot Springs bear testimony to the fact that when it comes to country, the belt forces never retreat from the battle field. Year after year, Police and other Para military forces continue to lay their lives for upholding the sovereignty of the country. The message is conveyed unequivocally ‘Country First’. We observe the day with deep respect and reverence for all those who chose country over their lives and embraced immortality. 21st October is the occasion to pay homage to the valour and sacrifice of our martyrs who never returned home ‘Jo Lout Ke Ghar Na Aaye’.
Sacrifice is something very innate and embedded in the ranks of belt forces. Since the very first day of training, sacrifice is ingrained in the minds of belt forces. In fact the ultimate aim of every police person is to serve his country by offering his own life. While paying the homage to the martyrs, every police person imagines his name among the martyrs. This resolve and resilience to serve the country is the biggest challenge to the adversaries. With the inception of terrorism, the challenges of police force increased multifarious. The initial phase of terrorism in early 90s rendered the security and intelligence grid enervated. It was herculean task to regain the ground among the hostile conditions. JK Police lead from the front and took the terrorism head-on. In the process, the organization lost hundreds of personnel to the inimical designs. We are all indebted to these martyrs for giving us current dominating position.
District Kupwara has faced the brunt of terrorism right from the very first day. The prime reason being the strategic location of the district. Kupwara shares maximum portion of LoC with the adversary country. This has resulted in majority of infiltration through this district. The dense vegetation, inhospitable weather conditions, porous routes, treacherous topology has helped the terrorism to thrive in the District. The separatist ideology in certain belts helped the terrorists to increase the number within their folds. Despite the evil designs of the inimical forces, the district is today immune from any major terrorism factor. The credit for this goes to our martyrs who have fought the inimical forces with all might. The dividends of peace owe their existence to these martyrs. As many as 110 Martyrs belonging to District Kupwara have so far attained martyrdom while fighting the terrorists. The detailed table is reproduced hereunder:
It is not that valour and bravery of our brave heart police personnel is confined to this district only, but they offered their lives wherever the need arises. Infact the stream is not confined to JKP only, but youth of Kupwara serving in parallel forces like Army, CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, CISF etc have contributed in the equal proportion when it comes to serving country.
Brave Hearts: Finding ones name among the list of martyrs read on the Police Commemoration Day must be the greatest of satisfaction for all martyrs, families and their comrades. The list is a continuum of selflessness and supreme altruism wherein country is help supreme to all. Each list of martyrs conveys a message that there are more who will offer their lives and the process will continue. Let us not forget the heroics of our two brave hearts who offered the supreme sacrifice to defend their country from the tentacles of terrorism in the current year.
Martyr Amir Hussain Lone: Hailing from Hirri village of district Kupwara, Amir Hussain Lone inherited the attributes of police force from his father who retired as an ASI. Amir had a dream to serve in police only and to serve in best possible manner. Once appointed in police, Amir was committed to defend his country from the evil designs of terrorists. He volunteered himself for many tough tasks. In one such mission, Amir was martyred by terrorists near Zoonimar area of Srinager on March 22, 2022. Amir’s heroics are eternal for all times to come.
Martyr Fayaz Ahmad Lone: Hailing from Lalob area of district Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Lone was tailor made for policing since birth. He had all attributes of a true soldier. Be it discipline, dedication, valour and bravery. His martyrdom epitomizes empathy and extraordinary courage.
(The author is SSP Kupwara, J&K).
