Sub-Inspector Dharambir Singh from the CRPF single-handedly stalled a terror attack on the Babri Masjid; he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra
Sub-Inspector Dharambir Singh from the CRPF single-handedly stalled a terror attack on the Babri Masjid; he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra
It was just another day in the summer of 2005 and Sub-inspector Dharambir Singh from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), a morcha commander, was on duty in the innermost security zone at Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Suddenly, a grenade exploded militants had launched a suicide attack on the Masjid.
The situation was dangerous but for this young hawaldar from Haryana, it was the chance of a lifetime to be at the frontline. And the Shaurya Chakra awardee didn't disappoint.
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The attack caught the force unawares. "The militants had come in a civil vehicle and just after exploding a grenade they blasted off the car. Even before we could take our positions, heavy gun firing began," added the officer.
As the militants were in an advantageous position because of the flat and open area, they fired indiscriminately. Their motive was to destroy the temple where an idol of Lord Ram was placed. "It was a tricky situation. While protecting the temple was our first priority, we could not allow the operation to stretch for too long. But within minutes the situation was brought under control and our guard commander ordered a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) to rush to the spot," said the officer.
Deputy Commandant (AC) Vizeto Tinyi, who was in charge of the operation,u00a0 praised his men for handling the situation bravely. "Dharambir was armed with a carbine. He knew the importance of his position and he did not allow the militants to move in his direction," he said.
Sitting in his small morcha Dharambir hardly had any cover from the militants' fire but he kept them engaged while the QRT commandos moved in to take their position. "Meanwhile, he got a bullet in his hand and was bleeding profusely but he refused to be evacuated," said Tinyi, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra as well.
The operation continued for almost an hour and with sustained effort from the CRPF personnel, all the militants were killed. "It was a difficult operation which could have taken a turn for the worst, but Dharambir single-handedly stalled the militants," said the deputy commandant.
Dharambir along with a number of other CRPF personnel were given out of turn promotions for their act of courage and bravery and saving the shrine.
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