IGP Kashmir, DIG CKR, SSP Sgr among 19 honoured with Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak

Srinagar, Oct 31: Nineteen J&K Police officials have been awarded the prestigious Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak by the Ministry of Home Affairs, recognising their outstanding bravery, professionalism, and dedication to duty while avenging the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

The honour was conferred on Friday, coinciding with the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).

The awardees include senior leadership and frontline officers who spearheaded the operation – Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; DIG Pande Rajiv Omprakash; SSP Srinagar G V Sundeep Chakraborty; SPs Tanweer Ahmed and Zoheb Tanveer; DSPs Vikram Nag, Shakir Hassan, Mubashir Naiz, Taseer Hamid, and several other officers, constables, and technical staff who played vital roles in the mission.

The decoration acknowledges the successful culmination of ‘Operation Mahadev’, a high-risk anti-terror mission carried out in the dense Dachigam forests, located in the upper reaches of Srinagar, nearly three months after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 persons, a Police officer said.

He said that the counter-terror operation had led to the elimination of three Pakistani terrorists, including Suleiman alias Asif, identified as one of the masterminds behind the Pahalgam attack.

The officer said that the operation was planned and executed by the J&K Police, Army, and CRPF with surgical precision, demonstrating exceptional coordination between intelligence, special operations, and field units.

The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is awarded by the Ministry of Home Affairs to recognise excellence, efficiency, and professional standards in critical areas like special operations, investigation, intelligence, and forensic science.

The officer said that the recognition for the J&K Police underscores the force’s relentless commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, often under extremely challenging and hostile conditions.

He described the award as “a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and tireless dedication of every member of the J&K Police who continues to uphold the spirit of service and integrity in safeguarding the nation.”

The successful execution of Operation Mahadev not only neutralised key perpetrators behind the Pahalgam tragedy but also reaffirmed J&K Police’s reputation as one of India’s most battle-hardened and professional forces in counter-terror operations, the Police officer said.