RPF Director General Manoj Yadava Leads Police Delegation to Honor Martyrs at Hot Spring Memorial in Ladakh

Ladakh: In a show of solidarity and respect, Manoj Yadava, Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), led a 28-member delegation of police officers to pay homage to fallen police martyrs at the Hot Spring Memorial in Ladakh. The memorial visit was dedicated to the gallant officers and personnel of the ITBP, Indian Army, and CRPF, who continue to defend the nation under harsh conditions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Accompanied by N. Prakash Reddy, DIG of Telangana Police, who served as the deputy leader of the delegation, and Raja Banthia, DCP of the Economic Offences Wing representing Delhi Police, Yadava’s delegation comprised police officers from various state forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

The Hot Spring Memorial holds special significance for Indian police forces, as it commemorates the sacrifice of ten CRPF officers who laid down their lives while defending the nation on October 21, 1959, during a confrontation with Chinese troops. Established in 1960, the annual tribute has become a revered tradition, drawing police officers from across India to honor the courage and sacrifice of their predecessors. The memorial is located in the challenging and rugged terrain of Eastern Ladakh, near the LAC, at an altitude of 15,400 feet.

This year’s event was especially significant as Manoj Yadava became the first DG of the Railway Protection Force to lead the delegation. His participation underscored the unity, strength, and camaraderie shared among India’s diverse police forces. During the ceremony, Yadava paid tribute to the 1,011 RPF personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty since the force’s inception in 1958, reaffirming the RPF’s commitment to valor, duty, and sacrifice.

A poignant highlight of the visit was the delegation’s meeting with Sonam Dorjey, an 86-year-old veteran who was part of the patrolling party during the fateful 1959 encounter. Dorjey, a living legend, was captured during the incident but his resilience and bravery have since become an inspiring chapter in Indian police history.