16 October 2017 | A Braveheart of the BSF
Second-in-Command Deepak Kumar Mandal of the 145th Battalion, Border Security Force, is remembered in the BSF memorial's 16 October remembrance record for his supreme sacrifice while attempting to intercept suspected cattle smugglers near the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura. He was serving as the officiating Commandant of the battalion at the time of the incident.
In the early hours of 16 October 2017, Mandal was on patrol near the Belardeppa border outpost in Sipahijala district when he noticed suspicious vehicle movements in an unfenced stretch of the international border. He and his patrol party attempted to stop the vehicles, which failed to comply. The patrol then moved to intercept them as the situation escalated.
During the confrontation, a vehicle struck Mandal, leaving him seriously injured. He was taken to a hospital in Tripura for treatment and subsequently transferred to Kolkata for advanced medical care. His injuries proved fatal.
His name is remembered on 16 October in accordance with the BSF memorial record. His sacrifice highlights the dangers faced by BSF personnel conducting patrols in unfenced border areas, where efforts to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling can turn violent.
Second-in-Command Deepak Kumar Mandal was recognised with the Police Medal for Gallantry. His service remains a reminder of the commitment and risks undertaken by Border Security Force personnel while carrying out their duties in protection of the nation's borders.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Second-in-Command Deepak Kumar Mandal, honouring his courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
