barublogA Decorated Officer with Five Gallantry Awards
Deputy Commandant Harshpal Singh, a 38-year-old officer in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has been awarded five gallantry medals since joining the force in 2004. His bravery and exceptional service in high-risk operations have made him one of India’s most decorated CRPF officers.
Kirti Chakra – India’s Second-Highest Peacetime Gallantry Medal
On India’s 73rd Independence Day, Harshpal Singh was honored with the Kirti Chakra, the country’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award. He earned this distinction for leading an operation in Jhajjar-Kotli, Jammu, where his team eliminated three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists attempting to attack the Northern Command headquarters of the Indian Army. The encounter left him with bullet and splinter injuries.
A High-Stakes Operation Against Terrorists
Recounting the September operation, Harshpal said, “We were tracking them for over 24 hours. It was a close-quarter battle at just 15 meters.” The encounter successfully neutralized the heavily armed JeM fidayeen, preventing a major attack on the Army’s headquarters.
Recognition from CRPF Leadership
Director General RR Bhatnagar praised Harshpal’s achievements, stating, “Winning five gallantry awards is extremely rare. This is a well-deserved honor, and we are immensely proud.”
First Police Medal for Gallantry (2008) – Maoist Encounter in Jharkhand
Harshpal received his first Police Medal for Gallantry on 31 May 2008, when he led a mission in Chundarmandu, Khunti District, Jharkhand. Acting on intelligence about a Maoist leaders’ meeting, he and his team launched a surprise assault, eliminating five top Maoist leaders, despite being outnumbered.
Bravery in 2014 – Eliminating a Wanted Maoist Commander
On 7 July 2014, Harshpal, then an Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations), tracked a senior Maoist commander attempting to recruit villagers in Lemba, Khunti. His team launched a stealth attack, successfully eliminating the commander, who had a ₹2 lakh bounty on his head.
2015 Operation – Striking Against Maoist Leadership
A year later, on 18 August 2015, Harshpal led another high-risk mission, eliminating a Maoist zonal commander and capturing his deputy. His sustained counter-insurgency efforts earned him the prestigious Jharkhand CM’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
Fighting Maoists vs. Terrorists in J&K – A Tactical Comparison
Harshpal Singh has firsthand experience in both Maoist insurgency zones and terrorist-infested regions of J&K. Comparing the two, he explains, “Maoists are strategic and well-planned, while terrorists in J&K are more heavily armed and highly motivated.” His expertise in handling both insurgencies showcases his versatility and courage as a leader in India’s security forces.
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