CRPF Officer Bibhor Kumar Singh, who suffered the loss of his legs during an Anti-Maoist operation in the forests of Bihar in 2022, has been honored with the prestigious Shaurya Chakra on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. He is the sole recipient of this military medal among the central paramilitary forces, marking it as the third-highest peacetime award.
Bibhor Kumar Singh was chosen for this commendation by the defense ministry, as stated in an announcement made on Thursday, a day before the brave officer’s 33rd birthday. Serving as an assistant commandant in the 205th CoBRA battalion, he joined the CRPF in May 2017. On February 25, 2022, while leading his patrol in the Chakrabandha forest area of Gaya and Aurangabad districts in Bihar, he sustained severe injuries in an improvised explosive device blast.
Following the incident, the officer was evacuated to the Gaya district headquarters after a seven-hour ordeal and later transferred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi for further treatment. However, the delay in recognizing his bravery had drawn criticism from an association of ex-paramilitary forces personnel and retired central paramilitary forces officers. They emphasized his “extreme tenacity and strength” demonstrated during the operation, where he tragically lost his legs.
According to the citation provided by the CRPF, Bibhor Kumar Singh exhibited unwavering determination while leading and guiding his troops, despite the personal risks involved. Their audacious actions ultimately compelled the Naxals to retreat from the ambush site. In addition to honoring Bibhor Kumar Singh, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the largest paramilitary force in the country, was also presented with 65 police gallantry medals on the eve of Republic Day.
Out of the 66 medals conferred, 60 were awarded for acts of valor during 14 operations in Jammu and Kashmir, while six were bestowed upon personnel for their courageous actions in three operations in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism. Tragically, four gallant individuals were posthumously awarded the medal for gallantry. The force was also recognized with five President’s medals for distinguished service and 57 medals for meritorious service.
Among the recipients of the distinguished service medal were CRPF Inspectors General Anshuman Yadav and Mahesh Chandra Laddha. Anshuman Yadav, a 1998-batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently serves as the IG personnel at the CRPF headquarters in Delhi. He has previously served in the force in the northeastern region, as well as fulfilling various assignments in his home state.
The CRPF, comprising approximately 3.25 lakh personnel, is designated as the leading internal security force in the country. Its primary areas of operation include anti-Maoist operations, counter-terrorism tasks in Jammu and Kashmir, and counter-insurgency duties in the northeastern states.
An officer who lost both his legs during an anti-Maoist operation has been awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, a gallantry award in India. The officer displayed exceptional bravery and dedication during the operation, leading his team fearlessly despite facing grave danger. His selfless commitment to the nation’s security and unwavering courage in the face of adversity make him a true inspiration to all. The Shaurya Chakra recognizes his extraordinary sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the countless brave men and women who risk their lives to protect our country.
Disclaimer: Only the headline and content of this report may have been reworked by Newsearay, staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. The Article was originally published on Source link
