Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal pays tribute to 154 police martyrs on Commemoration Day
Synopsis
On Police Commemoration Day, Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal honoured 154 police martyrs from across India at a Panchkula ceremony, recalling the 1959 CRPF ambush on the India-Tibet border that gave birth to this annual observance. He also unveiled a major push: ₹658 crore for infrastructure, a new ATS, and a plan to recruit nearly 28,000 personnel by 2030.
Key Takeaways
Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal led the Police Commemoration Day ceremony in Panchkula on 21 October 2026 .
Tributes were paid to 154 police personnel from across India who died in the line of duty.
Since Haryana's formation, 88 state police personnel have been killed on duty.
The day marks the 21 October 1959 ambush in which 10 CRPF jawans were martyred on the India-Tibet border in Ladakh .
An additional ₹658 crore has been allocated for police infrastructure; 204 posts approved for the Haryana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre .
The department plans to recruit approximately 15,000 personnel by March 2027 and around 13,000 more by 2030 .
Haryana Director General of Police Ajay Singhal on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 led the state-level Police Commemoration Day ceremony in Panchkula, paying homage to 154 police personnel from across the country who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Senior officers and jawans joined the solemn occasion, remembering the courage, valour, and dedication of those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Why Police Commemoration Day is Observed
The day traces its origins to 21 October 1959, when ten personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were martyred in an attack by Chinese troops while on patrol along the India-Tibet border in Ladakh. In their memory, Police Commemoration Day has been observed every year on this date ever since. This year marks another solemn reminder of the price paid to safeguard the country's internal security.
Haryana's Own Martyrs
Speaking at the event, DGP Singhal noted that since the formation of Haryana, 88 police personnel of the state have laid down their lives while performing their duties. He paid tribute to these officers, calling their valour and devotion the greatest strength of the force. He also stressed that the responsibility of police personnel extends beyond controlling crime to ensuring a safe environment for every citizen.
Commitment to Martyr Families
Singhal underscored the department's obligation toward the families of those killed in service, stating that it is the responsibility of the police department to ensure these families receive support, respect, and a sense of security under all circumstances and continue to feel an integral part of the police family. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for the government's guidance in advancing police welfare and modernisation.
Key Modernisation and Recruitment Initiatives
The DGP highlighted several recent steps taken to strengthen the state's security apparatus. These include an additional allocation of ₹658 crore for police infrastructure and modernisation, approval of 204 new posts for the Haryana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, and the formation of an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The department also launched the state's first Tourist Police Post at Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula to improve security and convenience for devotees.
On recruitment, Singhal said the department plans to induct approximately 15,000 personnel by March 2027 to address existing vacancies, followed by around 13,000 more recruitments between 2028 and 2030. These measures reflect a concerted push to both honour those who served and reinforce the force for the challenges ahead.
Point of View
000 personnel signal that Haryana is trying to move beyond commemorative optics. The formation of an ATS and the expansion of the cyber crime coordination centre reflect acknowledgement that the threats facing state police have shifted well beyond conventional law and order. Whether the recruitment targets survive budget cycles and administrative inertia is the harder question — Haryana has announced large police expansion plans before, and timelines have slipped.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Police Commemoration Day observed on 21 October?
Police Commemoration Day is observed on 21 October every year to honour ten CRPF personnel martyred on that date in 1959, when Chinese troops attacked them during a patrol on the India-Tibet border in Ladakh. The day has since become a national occasion to remember all police officers who died in the line of duty.
How many police personnel were honoured at the Haryana ceremony in 2026?
Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal paid tribute to 154 police personnel from across India at the state-level ceremony held in Panchkula on 21 October 2026. Senior officers and jawans also participated in the event.
How many Haryana police personnel have been killed in the line of duty?
Since the formation of Haryana, 88 state police personnel have laid down their lives while performing their duties, according to DGP Ajay Singhal at the Panchkula ceremony.
What modernisation steps has the Haryana government announced for the police force?
The Haryana government has allocated an additional ₹658 crore for police infrastructure and modernisation, approved 204 new posts for the Haryana Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, and formed an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The state also launched its first Tourist Police Post at Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula.
What are Haryana's police recruitment targets?
The Haryana Police department plans to recruit approximately 15,000 personnel by March 2027 to address vacancies, followed by around 13,000 more recruitments between 2028 and 2030, DGP Ajay Singhal announced at the Police Commemoration Day ceremony.
