J&K L-G Manoj Sinha pays tribute on Police Commemoration Day 2026
Synopsis
Every year on 21 October, India remembers 10 CRPF personnel ambushed and killed by Chinese troops in Aksai Chin in 1959 — the founding tragedy behind National Police Commemoration Day. In J&K, L-G Manoj Sinha's tribute this year calls for a collective commitment to a safer, stronger Jammu and Kashmir, even as the region's security landscape remains tense.
Key Takeaways
J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to police martyrs on National Police Commemoration Day, 21 October 2026 .
The day marks the 67th anniversary of the 1959 ambush at Hot Springs, Aksai Chin , in which 10 CRPF personnel were killed by Chinese troops.
The main parade was held at the Armed Police Headquarters, Zeewan ; DGP Nalin Prabhat presided and took the salute.
A separate function in Jammu was held at Gulshan Ground, Gandhi Nagar , presided over by IGP Tejinder Singh .
The National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi features a 30-foot granite sculpture and a 'Wall of Valour' listing thousands of police martyrs since Independence.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, 21 October paid tribute to police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation, marking National Police Commemoration Day — a solemn occasion observed every year to honour the memory of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in a Chinese ambush in 1959.
L-G Sinha's Message of Solidarity
In a post on X, Lieutenant-Governor Sinha expressed: 'On Police Commemoration Day, I pay heartfelt tribute to the brave police personnel who laid down their lives in service of the nation. I bow to their courage, duty and sacrifice and extend my respect and solidarity to their families.'
He further stated: 'The valour of our martyrs inspires us to strengthen peace, unity and security. Let us honour them through our collective commitment to a safer, stronger and more prosperous Jammu Kashmir.'
Commemoration Events Across J&K
The main parade was held at the Armed Police Headquarters in Zeewan, where a wreath was laid at the police martyrs' memorial. J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat presided over the function and took the salute at the parade.
In Jammu, the main event was held at Gulshan Ground in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city, presided over by Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Tejinder Singh.
The 1959 Ambush That Gave Rise to This Day
On 21 October 1959, an Indian police reconnaissance party was ambushed by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Aksai Chin, Ladakh. Ten Indian policemen were killed in the unequal confrontation; several others were injured or captured.
In January 1960, the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police officially designated 21 October as Police Commemoration Day — also known as Police Martyrs' Day — to honour those fallen officers and all personnel who die in service to the nation. This year marks the 67th anniversary of that tragic ambush.
The National Police Memorial
The National Police Memorial, established at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, stands as a permanent tribute to India's fallen officers. It features a 30-foot granite central sculpture and the 'Wall of Valour', which lists the names of thousands of police martyrs who have died since India's Independence.
As security challenges continue to evolve in Jammu and Kashmir, this year's commemoration carries renewed significance — a reminder of the human cost behind every peacekeeping effort in the region.
Point of View
Largely unacknowledged flashpoint of India-China border tensions, predating the 1962 war. In J&K, where police personnel continue to face asymmetric threats, the day carries a weight that goes beyond ritual remembrance. L-G Sinha's call for 'a safer, stronger and more prosperous Jammu Kashmir' is both a tribute and an implicit acknowledgment that the security compact in the region remains unfinished business.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Police Commemoration Day?
National Police Commemoration Day, observed every year on 21 October, honours Indian police and paramilitary personnel who have died in service to the nation. It was officially designated in January 1960, following an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Aksai Chin, Ladakh, on 21 October 1959, in which 10 CRPF personnel were killed.
What happened at Hot Springs, Aksai Chin, in 1959?
On 21 October 1959, an Indian police reconnaissance party was ambushed by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Aksai Chin, Ladakh. Ten Indian policemen were killed in the confrontation, and several others were injured or captured — one of the earliest violent India-China border incidents.
How did J&K mark Police Commemoration Day in 2026?
The main parade was held at the Armed Police Headquarters in Zeewan, where DGP Nalin Prabhat presided and a wreath was laid at the police martyrs' memorial. A separate function was held at Gulshan Ground in Jammu's Gandhi Nagar area, presided over by IGP (Jammu Zone) Tejinder Singh.
What did J&K L-G Manoj Sinha say on Police Commemoration Day?
L-G Manoj Sinha posted a tribute on X, saying he pays 'heartfelt tribute to the brave police personnel who laid down their lives in service of the nation' and called on citizens to honour martyrs through 'collective commitment to a safer, stronger and more prosperous Jammu Kashmir.'
What is the National Police Memorial in New Delhi?
The National Police Memorial, located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, is a permanent tribute to India's fallen police officers. It features a 30-foot granite central sculpture and a 'Wall of Valour' that lists the names of thousands of police martyrs who have died in service since India's Independence.
