J&K: Slain CRPF officer had rushed to fight militants after unfurling tricolour

Srinagar/Jamtara: CRPF commandant Pramod Kumar had led the Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar on Monday and unfurled the national flag, but unfortunately an hour later he died fighting militants in J&K’s Nowhatta area. Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter.

“It is a very important day,” these were the last words of Pramod Kumar after he unfurled the tricolour at the forces' base in Srinagar.

Kumar hoisted the flag between 8:30-8:40 am and made a speech saying with India clocking 70 years of its freedom, the responsibility on security forces has "increased" and they have to effectively tackle militants and incidents of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir.

Just before he ended his speech, Kumar, in a video of the event, is seen looking at his watch as he said "it is an important day", unaware of the fate that awaited him.

The officer who joined the paramilitary in 1998 also read out the names of those personnel of the force who were awarded gallantry medals on the eve of the Independence Day and congratulated them.

Soon after, officials said, the wireless set in the CRPF control room crackled informing it about militants hurling grenades and firing on security forces at four places in downtown Srinagar like Nowhatta Chowk, Gojwara Chowk, Bata Gali and Khaniyar Chowk, as they sought reinforcements.

Kumar, along with a small team of his personal security team, dashed out in a bullet proof vehicle and soon after landed at the incident spot.

44-year-old Kumar, a Commanding Officer of the 49 battalion, died after sustaining a bullet injury on his head.

A senior CRPF officer who had served with Kumar in the counter-insurgency grid in the north-east earlier said the officer was very "cool but daring." "We will never know why he said yesterday that it was an important day. May be he had some premonition of the events that unfolded in quick time yesterday," he said.

While Kumar and his men eliminated the two militants, nine other personnel including a state police official were injured in the attack.

Kumar was posted to Srinagar in April 2014 and was recently promoted as a Commandant.

The last rites of Pramod Kumar was organised in his hometown in Jharkhand's Jamtara.

Kumar, who is survived by his wife Neha and 7-year-old daughter Aarna, was also given a gun salute.

Kumar had spoken to his wife Neha on Sunday night, which turned out to be his last call to her. "Whenever he spoke about the country, he told me he wants to make a difference. Our six-year-old daughter Aarna is learning dance. He told me he will watch her dance videos. Now, how will he watch them? I don't know what I will do without him," Neha was quoted as saying.

Kumar had been thrice decorated with the CRPF Director General's commendation in 2015, 2014 and 2011. He has earlier served in the Special Protection Group for 3 years.

On Monday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed concern over Kumar’s death saying, "CRPF commanding officer Pramod Kumar fought valiantly when attacked by terrorists in Srinagar today. I am deeply pained at his death," he said in a statement.

Saluting the CRPF officer for his valour and supreme sacrifice, Singh said Kumar served the nation till his last breath. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," he said.