‘I was shot twice, in my chest and stomach’

In September last year, three terrorists were killed in a counter-insurgency operation in J&K. Rahul Mathur, Deputy Commandant of the CRPF, was conferred with the Kirti Chakra for the same. Here’s his story, on The Slow App.

Gaon Connection
| Updated: Last updated on July 27th, 2021,

Rahul Mathur, Deputy Commandant of the Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF), was conferred with the Kirti Chakra on Jan 26, 2021.

As he marched with dignity and pride to receive the Kirti Chakra, India’s second highest peacetime gallantry award, on January 26 this year, memories flashed past Rahul Mathur, Deputy Commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Last year, he and his team were involved in a counter-terrorist operation that took down three militants in Srinagar’s Batmaloo on September 17. “I was shot twice — in my chest and stomach,” said Mathur, who was seriously injured in the operation.

“I retaliated with my weapon and shot one dead. A second was injured.”

“During an operation at one in the morning, we got information about three militants who were heavily armed and in hiding. My team and I cordoned off the area and started conducting searches while moving towards the house where they were hiding,” said Mathur.

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As he led the intervention team, one of the militants hiding in the house, fired shots at Mathur, striking him twice. “I retaliated with my weapon and shot one dead. A second was injured,” shared Mathur. He went back to service after being treated in hospital for a month.

Mathur and his team withdrew tactically from the house and the deputy commandant was rushed to the hospital where he was operated upon. “I lost a lot of blood, but am healthy now.” 

The Central Police Reserve Force, one of the country’s oldest paramilitary units, has acted as a saviour during times of natural calamities such as the Super Cyclone of Odisha in 1999, Gujarat earthquake of 2001 and the tsunami of 2004.  

The CRPF has won 2,112 gallantry medals and sacrificed 2,224 lives in the service of the nation. It has also the highest number of gallantry medals for its service in Jammu and Kashmir and in Naxal-affected states. CRPF personnel work hand-in-hand with the state police and enjoy great public faith. One of their biggest contributions is helping the nation conduct elections peacefully.

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The CRPF has also been involved in protecting government-run institutions such as electricity offices, prisons, All India Radio, Doordarshan, nationalised banks, airports and residences of the governor and chief minister in insurgency-affected states. Around 17.5 per cent of the CRPF has been assigned to this cause. Another 7.5 per cent is involved in the protection of VIPs. The force also ensures the safety of the office and the residence of the Prime Minister, other union ministers and the Parliament.

Rahul Mathur, Deputy Commandant of the Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF), with his daughters.

In war-like situations, the CRPF is posted alongside the Indian army. History is witness to the CRPF’s selfless service and sacrifice for the nation – be it the Chinese attack on Ladakh’s Hot Spring or Pakistan’s attack on Gujarat’s Sardar Post or the Parliament attack of 2001. 

Listen to the inspirational stories of the valour of CPRF come alive on The Slow App, in the voices of Neelesh Misra and artistes trained by him. These CRPF stories are brought to you as a part of an MoU between Slow Content Pvt. Ltd, which has developed The Slow App, and the CRPF. 

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