Names Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh, Constable Santanu Sarkar and Constable Pawan Kumar
Force Central Reserve Police Force
Unit 81 Battalion CRPF
Date of Sacrifice 09 September 2004
Place of Sacrifice Doda, Jammu & Kashmir
Nature of Duty Convoy and security duty
Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh Born 07 May 1982, Palamu, Jharkhand
Force Number 025171412
Constable Santanu Sarkar Born 18 January 1982, West Tripura, Tripura
Force Number 021571689
Constable Pawan Kumar Born 14 October 1980, Lakhisarai, Bihar
Force Number 025171074

On 09 September 2004, three young members of the Central Reserve Police Force, Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh, Constable Santanu Sarkar and Constable Pawan Kumar, were serving with 81 Battalion CRPF in Jammu & Kashmir. They had come from different parts of India, but had chosen the same path of service and had been entrusted with the responsibility of serving the nation in a difficult and demanding environment.



Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh was born on 07 May 1982 and hailed from Purnadih village in Palamu district of Jharkhand. The son of Smt Krishna Devi, he joined the Central Reserve Police Force with a commitment to serve the nation. He was serving with 81 Battalion CRPF in Jammu & Kashmir and was only 22 years old when he faced the grave danger that confronted the troops in Doda.



Constable Santanu Sarkar was born on 18 January 1982 and hailed from Narasing Garh Natan Pally in West Tripura district of Tripura. The son of Smt Sabita Sarkar, he dedicated himself to service through the Central Reserve Police Force. He was serving with 81 Battalion CRPF in Jammu & Kashmir and was only 22 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.



Constable Pawan Kumar was born on 14 October 1980 and belonged to Gidhorpur village in Lakhisarai district of Bihar. The son of Smt Sunaina Devi, he dedicated himself to service through the Central Reserve Police Force. Serving with 81 Battalion CRPF in Jammu & Kashmir, he was 23 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice while performing his duty in Doda.

The three constables were serving at a time when Jammu & Kashmir was facing a serious threat from armed terrorists. For CRPF personnel deployed in the region, routine movements and security duties could quickly become life-threatening. Their responsibilities required courage, alertness and the readiness to respond whenever danger emerged.

In September 2004, 81 Battalion CRPF was deployed in the Doda area. The battalion's personnel were carrying out their duties in difficult terrain and under the constant possibility of terrorist attacks. The men continued to perform their responsibilities despite the risks associated with serving in an area affected by violence.

The Terrorist Attack in Doda

On 09 September 2004, personnel of 81 Battalion CRPF were moving in two vehicles to the convoy ground to drop personnel who were proceeding on leave. As the vehicles were passing through an area under Police Station Doda, terrorists launched a sudden attack on the troops.

The terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device and immediately followed the blast with indiscriminate firing on the CRPF personnel. One of the vehicles came under the direct impact of the blast, leaving its occupants grievously injured. The sudden attack placed the troops in an extremely dangerous situation.

Despite sustaining injuries, the CRPF personnel held on to their weapons and retaliated against the attackers. Their determination under fire prevented the terrorists from taking advantage of the situation and attempting to loot the weapons of the injured personnel.

The bold retaliation of the CRPF troops forced the terrorists to abandon their plan and flee from the area. Their response demonstrated the courage, discipline and fighting spirit of personnel who continued to stand their ground even after coming under a sudden and deadly attack.

During the attack, Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh, Constable Santanu Sarkar and Constable Pawan Kumar made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Rupesh Kumar Singh was only 22 years old. Santanu Sarkar was also 22, while Pawan Kumar was 23. They had come from Jharkhand, Tripura and Bihar respectively, yet their lives had converged in the service of the nation through the Central Reserve Police Force.

Their sacrifice reflects the risks carried by CRPF personnel while serving in areas affected by terrorism. They were performing their duties far from their homes when they were confronted by a sudden and deadly attack. Their courage and commitment remain a part of the proud history of 81 Battalion CRPF.

The families of Rupesh Kumar Singh, Santanu Sarkar and Pawan Kumar lost their loved ones far from home, while their comrades lost three fellow members of the force. Their sacrifice continues to remind us of the personal cost carried by those who serve the nation and stand in the line of duty in the face of grave danger.

Constable Rupesh Kumar Singh, Constable Santanu Sarkar and Constable Pawan Kumar remain remembered as three CRPF Bravehearts who served together and made the supreme sacrifice in Doda on 09 September 2004. Their names deserve to be remembered with respect, and their service deserves the gratitude of the nation.

We remember their courage.
We honour their service.
We preserve their stories. 🇮🇳

Lest We Forget. 🇮🇳