Mohan Chand Sharma
Encyclopedia
Mohan Chand Sharma was an India
n 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.
Masi
region of Almora
in Uttarakhand
. Sharma served the Delhi police for 19 years. 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
.
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. Rajbir Singh was killed at point blank range, apparently by a businessman contact.
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.
, 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
, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2006.
, 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. 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.
"We will do whatever we can to pay homage to him on behalf of the entire country," said Home Minister Shivraj Patil
. "Mohan Chand has been one of our most brave officers. He won many gallantry awards," said Police Commissioner YS Dadhwal.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Police Inspector who served in the Delhi Police, Special Cell and was killed during the Batla House encounter
Batla House encounter case
Batla House encounter officially known as Operation Batla House, took place on 19 September 2008, against suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Batla House locality in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, in which two suspected terrorist, Atif Amin and Mohamed Sajid, two other suspects Mohd Saif and Zeeshan...
in Delhi with suspected terrorists. Sharma was a much-decorated police officer and had won seven gallantry medals including the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
's Medal in 2008. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra
Ashoka Chakra Award
The Ashok Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other...
on 26 January 2009.
Career
Sharma is native to ChaukhutiaChaukhutia
Chaukhutia is a small town in Almora district of Uttarakhand located at banks of river Ramganga. This picturesque place derives its name from a Kumaoni word Chau-khut which means four feet. In Chaukhutia's context four feet means four ways. Fist way is towards Ramnagar, second towards Karanprayag,...
Masi
Masi, Almora
Masi is a small village in Almora district, Uttarakhand, India, located 34 km from Bhikiyasen and 54 km from Ranikhet. It is situated on the banks on Ram Ganga River, on the way to Chaukhutia. Naithna Devi Temple is only 4 km from here. The famous Shiva temple at Masi attracts large...
region of Almora
Almora
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of...
in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
. Sharma served the Delhi police for 19 years. 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
13 September 2008 Delhi bombings
The 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings were a series of five synchronised bomb blasts that took place within a span of few minutes on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at various locations in Delhi, India...
.
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
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
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. Rajbir Singh was killed at point blank range, apparently by a businessman contact.
Death
Sharma, who led the Batla House encounterBatla House encounter case
Batla House encounter officially known as Operation Batla House, took place on 19 September 2008, against suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Batla House locality in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, in which two suspected terrorist, Atif Amin and Mohamed Sajid, two other suspects Mohd Saif and Zeeshan...
at Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
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 attack2001 Indian Parliament attack
The 2001 Indian Parliament attack was a high-profile attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists against the building housing the Parliament of India in New Delhi...
, 2000 terrorist attack on Red Fort
2000 terrorist attack on Red Fort
2000 terrorist attack on Red Fort is a terrorist attack on Red Fort in Delhi in India on 22 December 2000.It was carried out by terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba that killed two soldiers and one civilian....
and 29 October 2005 Delhi bombings
29 October 2005 Delhi bombings
The 29 October 2005 Delhi bombings occurred on 29 October 2005 in Delhi, India, killing 62 people and injuring at least 210 others in three explosions. The bombings came only two days before the important festival of Diwali, which is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains...
. 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
Abu Hamza
Abu Hamza may refer to:* Abu Hamza al-Masri , jailed UK Muslim cleric* Mahmoud al-Majzoub , leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad* Abu Hamza al-Muhajir , leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq...
, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2006.
Tribute
The Prime Minister of IndiaPrime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
, Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh is the 13th and current Prime Minister of India. He is the only Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a full five-year term. A Sikh, he is the first non-Hindu to occupy the office. Singh is also the 7th Prime Minister belonging to the Indian...
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. 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
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Devisingh Patil is the 12th President of the Republic of India and first woman to hold the office. She was sworn in as President of India on 25 July 2007, succeeding Dr. A.P.J...
said "his was a supreme act of sacrifice, courage and bravery and he would be always remembered by the nation."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv 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.
"We will do whatever we can to pay homage to him on behalf of the entire country," said Home Minister Shivraj Patil
Shivraj Patil
Shivraj Vishwanath Patil is an Indian politician and current state Punjab governor and the Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh. Previously he had been the Speaker of the 11th Lok Sabha and served the Manmohan Singh cabinet as the Union Minister of Home Affairs...
. "Mohan Chand has been one of our most brave officers. He won many gallantry awards," said Police Commissioner YS Dadhwal.