SHRI PRAMOD KUMAR SATAPATHY
ORISSA STATE ARMED POLICE (POSTHUMOUS)
On 15th February 2008 at 10.30 PM more than 500 heavily armed naxalite militants carried out simultaneous attacks on Police at various locations in areas close to the State capital of Bhubaneshwar and looted more than 1200 weapons and killed 14 police personnel and one civilian. After carrying out the operation, more than 300 naxalites retreated to the outlying jungle of Ganjam and Phulbani districts in hijacked buses and other vehicles.
On hearing the news, Asstt. Commandant Shri Pramod Kumar Satapathy, Training-in-charge of the Special Operation Group at Chandaka, Orissa rushed to Nayagarh along with 20 available men on motorcycles. Shri Satapathy received information about the movement of the militants. He quickly made out a plan and with available forces of SOG, OSAP and CRPF followed the naxalites into the jungle. There were about 200 - 300 naxalites in an elevated location and they were about to escape. Shri Satapathy mounted assault on the naxalites. The naxalites in turn unleashed a heavy fire on the police team. In the encounter that continued for about two hours, the police party had to retreat. Shri Satapathy fought bravely till his last breath and laid down his life in fighting the militants. A large quantity of arms and ammunitions was recovered from the site.
Shri Satapathy showed highest degree of bravery, dedication to duty and exemplary spirit of sacrifice in fighting the naxalites and laid down his life in the process
SHRI R.P. DIENGDOH
MEGHALAYA POLICE (POSTHUMOUS)
On 6 November 2007, information was received that cadres of the banned militant outfit, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (NHLC) along with cadres of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) had set up a camp deep in the jungle of Meghalaya bordering Assam.
According to information there were about ten militants armed with AK 47 and AK 56 rifles and explosives in the camp which was located in an inaccessible hilly terrain at a distance of some five hours of trekking from the nearest motorable road.
Shri R.P. Diengdoh, MPS volunteered to lead the operations. Five teams were made out of forty policemen, each led by an Inspector or Sub-Inspector. At 0140 hrs on 7 November 2007, the police party left the last motorable point on foot. Shri Diengdoh was himself leading the assault team.
Shri Diengdoh reached the site just before dawn and disregarding personal safety, rushed into the militant camp and commanded the cadres to surrender. The militants however, opened heavy fire on the assault team. Shri Diengdoh returned the fire and shot dead one militant. However, he was struck by one bullet just below his left shoulder. Unmindful of the grave injury, he showed utmost bravery and continued to lead the team and managed to capture two dreaded militants. Taking advantage of the terrain, the militants fled the camp under cover of heavy firing. Shri Diengdoh chased the militants and refused to be moved for medical help. He was later carried to hospital on a makeshift stretcher when he fell unconscious due to heavy bleeding. Shri Diengdoh succumbed to his injury before reaching hospital.
Shri Diengdoh displayed skilled planning, exemplary dedication and intense valour and made supreme sacrifice fighting the militants.
SK/RAJ
(Release ID :41321)