Cops who shot dead Atiq Ahmed's son in encounter among 1037 personnel awarded President's Medal

On the eve of Independence Day 2024, a total of 1037 personnel from various services, including Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD), and Correctional Services, have been honored with Gallantry and Service Medals. Notably, President Draupadi Murmu has selected 18 exceptional individuals from Uttar Pradesh, comprising police and home guard officers and jawans, to receive the prestigious President's Medal for Gallantry. 

Among the awardees are Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) Navendu Kumar Naveen and Vimal Kumar Singh, who led the team responsible for neutralizing gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed's son Asad in a daring encounter.

In April last year, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) conducted an encounter in Jhansi, resulting in the deaths of Asad Ahmed, son of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, and Ghulam, both wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case. Asad had been captured on CCTV during the attack and had been evading capture since. The 12-member STF team was led by DSPs Navendu Kumar Naveen and Vimal Kumar Singh.

DSP Navendu Kumar Naveen, born on August 3, 1967, in Saran, Bihar, is a 2017 cadre police officer who joined the STF in 2017. He has a history of bravery, having been shot in the hand and neck during an encounter with a dacoit a few years ago. In 2022, he killed two criminals and has received several awards, including the President's Gallantry Medal (2008), National Gallantry Medal (2014), and President's Award on Independence Day (2022).

DSP Vimal Kumar Singh, posted at the UP STF headquarters in Lucknow, was admitted to the UP Police as a sub-inspector and is a 2018 cadre police officer. He has played a crucial role in cracking down on prominent mafias in Purvanchal through his informer network. A resident of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh has demonstrated exceptional bravery and dedication to duty.