AGARTALA, Oct 21 (TIWN): Tripura along with the whole country observed the Police Commemoration Day today, remembering all the police personnel martyred in the line of duty. The day is reminiscent of the sacrifices of ten CRPF bravehearts who scripted a saga of valour and sacrifices in the snow-laden, inaccessible and inhospitable terrain of Hot Springs in Ladakh back in 1959.

CM Biplab Kumar Deb paid tribute to all police personnel who have laid down their lives for the country, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day. Speaking to the media Deb said, " Today we remember the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country. India is a great County and I hope that their sacrifices will not go in vain. Tripura Government will always stand by the families of our bravehearts."

It was on this day in 1959 when a patrol party comprising twenty personnel of the CRPF and Intelligence Bureau had gone to search for a missing reconnaissance party and was ambushed by the Chinese PLA. The patrol party was commanded by Karam Singh, DCIO. Even as the Chinese army personnel were in large numbers and heavily armed, the Indian security forces put up a valiant fight against them. 

At least ten CRPF men were martyred as they defended their motherland. Their gallant action in fight against the heavily-armed People's Liberation Army at a height of sixteen thousand feet in sub-zero conditions exhibited raw courage and sheer commitment.

The sacrifices of the CRPF personnel during the battle made the Hot Springs a sacred place of pilgrimage for policemen from all over the country. October 21 was then declared “Police Commemoration Day” to be observed by all police formations to commemorate loyalty and supreme sacrifice of police personnel for their motherland.