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On the eve of Independence Day 2024, a total of 213 medals for valor were awarded to security personnel of the police, paratroopers, fire departments, home guards and civil defense departments in various states across the country.
The recipients include two deputy sheriffs, four inspectors, three sub-inspectors, four sergeants and four officers who were involved in four separate criminal encounters, the release said.
Among the 17 policemen who were awarded gallantry awards on Wednesday were those involved in the killing of Asad, son of slain gangster Atiq Ahmad, according to an official statement issued here.
Another group of police officers involved in the fight against gangster Vikas Dubey's aides were also awarded the gallantry medal awarded by the Center every year on the eve of Independence Day.
Recipients of the award include two deputy chief constables, four inspectors, three sub-inspectors, four sergeants and four police officers who were involved in four separate incidents with criminals, the release said.
Asad and his associate Ghulam, who had a reward of Rs 5 lakh on their arrest, were killed in a gunfight with the Special Task Force (STF) in Jhansi district on April 13, 2023, the statement said.
The statement said that the two met as DSPs Vimal Kumar Singh and Navindu Kumar, Inspectors Gyanendra Kumar Rai and Anil Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police Sushil ·Kumar and Sunil Kumar won the Gallantry Medal.
The award was given to Sub-Inspector Jitendra Pratap Singh and Constable Vipin Kumar for their killing of wanted criminal Praveen Dubey alias Baua during an encounter in Etawah district on July 9, 2020, the release said.
The report added that Pravin Dubey, a member of slain gangster Vikas Dubey's gang, was involved in the attack on a police team in Kanpur's Bikuru area on July 3, 2020, in which eight policemen were killed.
The statement said that in 2019, Meherbaan alias Kallu was wanted in 31 criminal cases and had a reward of Rs 1 lakh in Bulandshahr district on the night of August 17-18.
The encounter allegedly earned Inspector Jitendra Kumar Singh, Sub-Inspector Rakesh Kumar Singh Chouhan and Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar and Harim Singh a heroic medal.
Inspector Rajeev Choudhary, Sub-Inspector Jaiveer Singh, Head Constable Raees Ahmed, Constables Arun Kumar and Ajay Kumar were commended for their encounter with war criminal Aditya Rana alias Ravi in Bijnor district on April 4, 2023. A bounty of ten thousand rupees was placed on him and he was shot dead.
“The Uttar Pradesh Police has ensured excellent operations over the past few years in line with the zero-tolerance policy against crime and criminals,” the statement read.
The statement added that a proposal for a gallantry medal has been sent to the Indian government from the police headquarters in recognition of the “extraordinary actions” taken during these conflicts.
Director General of Police Prashant Kumar congratulated the 17 policemen who were awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) and wished them a bright future.
On the eve of Independence Day 2024, a total of 213 medals for valor were awarded to security personnel of the police, paratroopers, fire departments, home guards and civil defense departments in various states across the country.
(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is published by PTI)
