In a poignant ceremony held on July 5, President Draupadi Murmu awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award posthumously to martyr CRPF Commando Sambhu Roy. The Award conferred upon Shambhu was handed over to his parents in recognition of their son’s supreme sacrifice.
Sambhu Roy, a young hero hailing from Bhagyapur village in North Tripura’s Dharmanagar subdivision, served with the elite 210 Cobra Commando unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Born on June 18, 1990, Sambhu joined the CRPF in 2015, leaving behind a loving family – his parents, Dwijraj Roy and Anjali Roy, and two siblings.
A Life Cut Short, a Legacy of Valor
Sambhu’s father recounted his son’s final visit home in March 2021, a brief 20-day leave before returning to duty on April 1st. Soon after, he was deployed to a CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh. Their last conversation occurred on April 2nd, shortly before Sambhu embarked on a mission to apprehend insurgents in the Tekalguda jungle.
Tragedy struck on April 3rd. During their return from the operation, the commando team faced a brutal ambush from three sides by insurgents. Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Sambhu, along with his comrades, displayed exemplary courage. They eliminated five insurgents and captured another one along with a rifle. However, a bomb explosion fatally wounded Sambhu, who succumbed to his injuries on the spot. This encounter resulted in the martyrdom of 22 soldiers, including eight from the Cobra unit.
A Nation Remembers
The Kirti Chakra ceremony, held on July 5th, honored Sambhu’s bravery and sacrifice. President Murmu presented the award to his parents, a testament to their son’s unwavering commitment to duty. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries, served as a solemn reminder of the immense price paid by our soldiers in service to the nation.
A Family’s Enduring Pride
Back in Bhagyapur, the Roy family cherishes Sambhu’s memory. Their home, built with his earnings from his government service, stands as a symbol of his dedication. Further perpetuating his legacy, they are constructing a temple beside their house where a marble statue of Sambhu will be installed. Through these acts, the Roy family ensures that their son’s bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
