The 33-year-old soldier from Odisha had won the President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) last year for repelling the fidayeen attack at Nowhatta on August 15
His colleagues remember Constable Pradip Kumar Panda as a brave soldier who was always at the forefront in the anti-militancy operations.
"He was operation oriented and participated in almost every operation. He was one who was always involved. He was awarded PPMG for neutralizing fidayeen attack at Nowhatta," Ravideep Sahi, Inspector General of CRPF, Srinagar, told DNA.
On Sunday, Constable Panda, a highly-decorated CRPF personnel, was one among five soldiers who were martyred in the Lethpora operation.
The 33-year-old soldier from Odisha had won the President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) last year for repelling the fidayeen attack at Nowhatta on August 15, in which CRPF Commandant Pramod Kumar was killed.
Posted in the elite Quick Action Team (QAT) since 2011, Panda was a highly professional commando who was part of anti-militancy operations carried out by the CRPF.
In fact, he was leading the room intervention – room by room sanitising and clearing operations – to clear the building of entrenched fidayeen at the camp of 185th battalion of CRPF at Lethpora when he was killed.
Paying rich tributes to the fallen hero, the CRPF said he was the face of the assault team who used to land both the first and final blow against terrorists in their hideouts.
"He has been always proactive and initiative-taking guy in the operations. He was our key player in various operations. During this (Lethpora) operation he was leading the room intervention when he was martyred. He was part of most of the operations be it Nowhatta, DPL and many other operations," Ravideep Sahi, Inspector General of CRPF, Srinagar, told DNA.
"Saluting the valiant son of Odisha Pradeep Panda who laid down his life for the motherland. He was the pride of CRPF for his gallantry. The braveheart will always live in our hearts and inspire us with his heroism," Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted
Born on May 4 1984 in Odisha, Constable Panda had joined the CRPF in 2006 and was posted in valley for the last seven years. He is survived by his wife, son and parents.
CM COMPENSATES
- Describing Panda as a “valiant son”, CM Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for his family. He also announced a Rs 2,000 monthly pension for Panda’s widow
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Constable Pradip Kumar Panda")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}