The names of at least 1,364 police officers from various security forces and agencies who have been granted the Kendriya Grih Mantri Dakshata Padak for carrying out special operations were revealed by the Union home ministry on Friday. The majority of medals were won by those engaged in counterterrorism, anti-Maoist, and anti-drug operations.
Adopting a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, the Center has pledged to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism from the nation by March 31, 2026, and to eradicate drugs from India by 2047. Every year on October 31, the anniversary of the former home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth, the award is announced. For their efforts in investigation, intelligence, and forensic sciences, 102 more employees from the police, forensic sciences, and intelligence departments received the award.
According to the home ministry’s list, 222 members of the Chhattisgarh Police received medals for their anti-Maoist efforts, the most of any state police force. In order to meet the Center’s and the state government’s goal of eradicating Maoist violence within the next five months, the medals were given to state force personnel ranging from constables to senior officers who are currently involved in various anti-Maoist operations.
Delhi Police took home 30 medals among state police forces, while Jammu & Kashmir Police took home 19. For their counterterrorism efforts, Delhi and J&K police officers received awards. Additionally, Jharkhand Police received 15 medals for their anti-Maoist efforts.
The Central Reserve Police organization (CRPF) had the most awardees of any state police organization or agency. The medal was given to 1,033 force personnel in total. Indeed, with more than 300,000 members, the CRPF is India’s largest paramilitary force.
The medals were given to CRPF members in recognition of their anti-Maoist activities nationwide and counterterrorism efforts in J&K. The Gujarat Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) also received seven and fourteen medals, respectively, for their maritime anti-drug operations, which involved raids in Indian waters and the seizure of narcotics shipments from Pakistan.
The two agencies have stopped mother ships that were transporting heroin from Pakistan and Iran over the sea, which has recently become the go-to tactic for drug smugglers.