Delhi police lose “an exceptionally brave officer”
NEW DELHI: Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, the man behind many counter-terror operations of the Special Cell of the Delhi police during the past few years, died of injuries at the Holy Family Hospital here, hours after he sustained three bullet wounds in an encounter with suspected terrorists at Batla House on Friday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Inspector Sharma describing him as an exceptionally brave officer. In a letter to Mr. Sharma’s wife, the Prime Minister expressed shock over his death and said he laid down his life in defending the security of the country.
A great loss: PM
“It is officers like your husband who make us all feel confident that our security is in safe hands. Your husband’s passing away is a great loss for our country and society,” said the letter.
President Pratibha Patil said his was a supreme act of sacrifice, courage and bravery and he would be always remembered by the nation.
Inspector Sharma was recruited to the Delhi police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and was promoted out of turn in 1995. While working with the Special Cell, he grew up as a cool-headed team-man who led major operations from the front. He was instrumental in neutralising 35 terrorists and arresting as many as 80 militants. Inspector Sharma also gunned down 40 gangsters in encounters and arrested 120 criminals.
He was conferred seven gallantry medals, including President’s Police Medal for Gallantry in 2003 and 2007 and Police Medals for Gallantry in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. He also received 150 rewards for his exemplary performance.
On Friday, when he left for Batla House to lead the operation, his son was admitted with dengue to the Kalra Hospital at Kirti Nagar. When informed about the tip-off about suspected militants hiding in a flat, he rushed to the spot in the morning. When the encounter started, Inspector Sharma was apparently not wearing a bullet-proof jacket.
While he sustained a bullet injury in the stomach, the other two hit him on the thigh and the right arm. A profusely bleeding Inspector Sharma was rushed to the hospital, where he was operated upon. But he died at 7 p.m.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh said: “We have lost our best police officer.”
“Source of motivation”
One of his subordinates said: “He was a very emotional person and always took care of our needs. He believed in team spirit and would not hesitate to take up our problems with senior police officers. He taught us ways to carry out counter-terror operations. He was very sharp in conducting surveillance and executing raids swiftly. He was always there when he required his help and was a source of motivation. This is a huge price we have paid for an operation.”
The 44-year-old police officer, who belonged to Uttarakhand, is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008092060171200.htm&date=2008/09/20/&prd=th&