CRPF ready to fight 'invisible, invasive' COVID-19: DG on valour day

NEW DELHI: The CRPF is all geared to "fight the invisible and invasive enemy" in the form of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, the chief of the force said on Thursday.

In a communication to his troops on the occasion of the 'Valour day' of the force, CRPF Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari asked them to be strong and fit for serving the country during these tough times.

"Dear friends, when going gets tough, the tough gets going. Toughness is our trademark..."


"Today, the entire nation is facing a tough time due to COVID-19. I am happy that being tough yourself, you all have geared up to help people fight the invisible and invasive enemy," he said.

The DG said "all programmes related to the day are for the time being suspended" in view of the viral outbreak.
"However, we in our thoughts and ethos uphold the dignity of the day," he said.

It was on April 9,1965 at Sardar Post in Gujarat that only two companies of CRPF heroes proved tough enough for a full brigade of Pakistani army, making them bite the dust, Maheshwari said.

"We are and will always be proud of their valour and sacrifice for the motherland," he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind said the Central Reserve Police Force men, who were killed in action, wrote a "golden history" on this day with their extraordinary bravery, patriotism and sacrifice.

He also paid his tributes to the martyrs in a message issued over Twitter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the bravery of the force.

"The courage of @crpfindia is widely known. On CRPF Valour Day today, I salute this brave force and remember the bravery of our CRPF personnel in Gujarat's Sardar Patel Post in 1965. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten," the PM tweeted.

Union home minister Amit Shah wished the force, saying a small contingent of the force created history by defeating the invading enemy army that was several times larger than them.