Constable Santosh Kumar Pandey of the 92nd Battalion, Central Reserve Police Force, made the supreme sacrifice in Jammu and Kashmir on 18 September 2000 while performing area domination duty.
Born on 7 June 1977, Santosh Kumar Pandey hailed from Hardiya village in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He joined the CRPF and served in Jammu and Kashmir during a period when the force was engaged in sustained counter-terrorism and area domination duties.
The Final Sacrifice
On 18 September 2000, Constable Santosh Kumar Pandey was deployed with his comrades in the Dal Lake area of Srinagar as part of an area domination patrol.
During the operation, terrorists opened automatic fire on the CRPF personnel. Pandey responded to the attack and returned fire, standing his ground as the engagement unfolded.
The terrorists began to withdraw but hurled a grenade at the brave constable. He sustained serious splinter injuries in the attack and later succumbed to his wounds.
At just 23 years of age, Constable Santosh Kumar Pandey made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on 18 September 2000.
His final moments reflected the courage expected of a CRPF soldier, facing danger directly and continuing to perform his duty in the face of a terrorist attack.
Constable Santosh Kumar Pandey's name remains part of the CRPF's history of service and sacrifice in Jammu and Kashmir.
