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braveheart: Constable Ambadas Pawar joined the Mumbai police in 2005 after a brief stint in the Army. He quit the Army after an accident |
Until now details of Pawar's death were sketchy, even for his family. But with a photograph that his colleagues found of Pawar aiming a rifle at the terrorists at CST, has emerged a tale of unshakable courage.
Locked rifle
On November 26, Pawar attached to the Protection Unit at Ballard Pier, had just alighted on CST's Harbour Line platform no 1 and was walking towards the exit near platform no 7, when he heard gunshots. Though unarmed and not in uniform, he rushed towards the sounds.
He saw a GRP officer, later found to be Assistant Sub-inspector Sudam Pandharkar (57), struggling to unlock his .303 rifle. Pawar rushed to Pandharkar's side, who'd already fired two rounds at terrorists Mohammad Ajmal Qasab and Abu Ismail, but unsuccessfully.
Killed by Qasab
Pawar, who was in the Army before quitting due to an accident, immediately told Pandharkar that he was a cop, took his gun and unlocked it within seconds. He then fired once at Ismail, who was near the ticket counter.
"But unfortunately for the brave hero, Qasab came from behind and shot Pawar who died instantly. Incidentally, Pandharkar was already injured in the gunfire, but apparently did not realise it, and bravely stood guard as Pawar took aim at the terrorists," said Assistant Inspector Sandeep Bhagwat, Pawar's immediate superior.
Pandharkar was at CST, as he was patrolling the ladies compartment of the 8.54 pm Thane-CST local. He was armed with five rounds and his .303 rifle. At CST, he was waiting for the 10.20 pm train to Kurla, when the firing started.
'Courageous'
Pandharkar, who is now recuperating in his hometown Ahmednagar, told MiD DAY, "Initially, I did not feel the bullet hitting me, but later I saw blood oozing out. But minutes before I fell unconscious, I remember that a plainclothes policeman took my rifle and fired a round. A few minutes later when I regained consciousness, I spotted him lying unconscious in a pool of blood."
Pawar's department and family had so far believed that he was just one of the 58 people killed at the station. "However, it makes us proud that he showed the courage and dared to fight the terrorists even though he was not armed," said Bhagwat.
Compensation Pawar's family may get
Rs 25 lakh from state, Rs 14 lakh from Railways; Rs 5 lakh from BMC; Rs 5 lakh from Baba Ramdev; Rs 5 lakh from the emoluments from the police department, including contribution, insurance and gratuity; Rs 1 lakh from the Congress; Rs 40,000 from a corporate house; Rs 33,000 a month for the next five years from a corporate house; 2BHK MHADA flat at Pratiksha Nagar, Antop Hill, worth around Rs 25 lakh
I want to fulfil my husband's dreams
Kalpana Pawar (24) said, "I am proud to be the widow of a man who dared to fight the terrorists. Had it not been for this photograph, we would never have learnt about his brave sacrifice."
Kalpana now wants to fulfil her husband's dream to ensure that their son Vivek studies hard and joins the police force and to complete her graduation, as she has studied till HSC. Kalpana also wants to give some portion of the compensation received to organisations that help poor and needy people.
