Mohan Chand Sharma

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma

Mohan Chand Sharma (23 September 1965 − 19 September 2008)^[1] was an Indian Police Inspector who served in the Delhi Police, Special Cell and was killed during the Batla House encounter in Delhi with suspected terrorists. Sharma was a much-decorated police officer and had won seven gallantry medals including the President of India's Medal in 2008. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.^[2]

Career

Sharma is native to Chaukhutia Masi region of Almora in Uttarakhand. Sharma served the Delhi police for 19 years.^[3] He joined the Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and was instrumental in the killing of 35 alleged Khalistani terrorists and the arrest of another 80 alleged militants, according to an authorised Delhi police statement. The police statement also claimed that he had killed 40 alleged gangsters from outside Delhi and arrested another 129. He died on 19 September 2008 after sustaining injuries during an encounter with suspected terrorists allegedly involved in the 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings.^[4]

He was honored with seven gallantry medals, including the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry in 2003 and 2007 and Police Medals for Gallantry in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. He also received 150 rewards for exemplary performance. Like many Indian encounter specialists (encounter is the term commonly used in South Asia for extrajudicial killings), Sharma's career was controversial. Sharma often cribbed that his one time boss, best friend and mentor Rajbir Singh alone got all the credit for their operations, but death perhaps has restored the balance.^[5] Rajbir Singh was killed at point blank range, apparently by a businessman contact.

Death

Sharma, who led the Batla House encounter at Jamia Nagar, New Delhi where terrorists linked with the 2008 Delhi blasts were suspected of hiding. Sharma received bullet injuries to his abdomen, thighs and right arm. According to the autopsy performed at the AIIMS, he died of excessive bleeding. Sharma was not wearing bulletproof armour.

Legacy

He is noted for his involvement in high-profile cases that include the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, 2000 terrorist attack on Red Fort and 29 October 2005 Delhi bombings. Sharma was instrumental in arrest of four Jaish-e-Mohammad alleged militants in February 2007 after an encounter at DDU Marg, Delhi. He was also involved in an encounter which saw the death of one of the most wanted terrorists, Abu Hamza^{[disambiguation needed ]}, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2006.

Tribute

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh said that "Sharma had shown exceptional courage and was an inspiration for the security forces". "He has shown exceptional courage and is an inspiration for our security forces," he stated.^[6] In a letter to Sharma's wife on his death, Singh wrote: "It is officers like your husband who make us all feel confident that our security is in safe hands. Your husband’s passing away is a great loss for our country and society."

President Pratibha Patil said "his was a supreme act of sacrifice, courage and bravery and he would be always remembered by the nation."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a condolence message said that Sharma "battled with the terrorists valiantly and sacrificed his life in the service of the country." "Our battle against terrorism will continue with full resolve," she said.^[6]

"We will do whatever we can to pay homage to him on behalf of the entire country," said Home Minister Shivraj Patil.^[7] "Mohan Chand has been one of our most brave officers. He won many gallantry awards," said Police Commissioner YS Dadhwal.^[7]

References

1. ^ Delhi gunbattle hero Mohan Sharma succumbs to injury
2. ^ "11 security personnel to get Ashok Chakra". http://ibnlive.in.com/news/11-security-personnel-to-get-ashok-chakra/83597-3.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
3. ^ Delhi cop Sharma cremated with full state honours
4. ^ Police inspector who led Delhi encounter dead
5. ^ Delhi police lose “an exceptionally brave officer”
6. ^ ^{a b} Manmohan, Sonia condole Sharma's death
7. ^ ^{a b} Braveheart Inspector's death a huge loss

External links

• CNN Report
• BBC Report
• The Tribune
• ABC news
• Press Trust of India
• The Hindu
• The Times of India: Encounter ends in Delhi two terrorists killed
• External Tribute (Hindi poem)

Persondata
Name	Sharma, Mohan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	23 September 1965
Place of birth
Date of death	19 September 2008
Place of death