Amit Shah to pay homage to police martyrs at NPM on October 21
Synopsis
Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the national observance of Police Commemoration Day on 21 October at the National Police Memorial, honouring the 10 policemen killed by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959. He will also flag off a 90-rider 'Fight Against Drugs' rally that will culminate at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 31 October — linking national security remembrance with an anti-drug awareness drive.
Key Takeaways
Home Minister Amit Shah will pay homage to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial, New Delhi on 21 October 2026 .
Shah will lay a wreath at the altar dedicated to the martyrs of Hot Springs, Ladakh and address the assembly.
He will flag off a motorcycle rally of approximately 90 police riders from States, UTs, and Central Forces under the 'Fight Against Drugs' theme.
The rally will culminate at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat for the Ekta Parade on 31 October .
Police Commemoration Day marks the deaths of 10 police personnel killed in a Chinese ambush at Hot Springs on 21 October 1959 .
Commemorative events at NPM will run from 22 to 30 October , including martyr family visits, blood donation camps, and children's competitions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will pay homage to fallen police personnel at the National Police Memorial (NPM) in New Delhi on 21 October 2026, marking Police Commemoration Day, an official confirmed on Monday. Shah will address the assembly and conclude the ceremony by laying a wreath at the altar dedicated to the martyrs of Hot Springs, Ladakh.
Key Events of the Day
Beyond the wreath-laying, the Home Minister will flag off a motorcycle rally comprising approximately 90 police riders drawn from States and Union Territories — including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi — alongside Central Armed Police Forces such as the CRPF, CISF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, and NSG, and Central Police Organisations including the RPF, NDRF, and NIA.
A joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police will also be held at the National Police Memorial as part of the main function.
The 'Fight Against Drugs' Nationwide Rally
The motorcycle rally is part of a nationwide campaign themed 'Fight Against Drugs', in which police riders from all States, UTs, and Central Forces will converge at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, to participate in the Ekta Parade on 31 October. The initiative is designed to strengthen public awareness of the drug menace while symbolically linking law enforcement solidarity across the country.
Why October 21 Is Observed as Police Commemoration Day
On 21 October 1959, 10 police personnel were killed in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh — one of the earliest armed confrontations on India's Himalayan frontier. In recognition of their sacrifice, the day has been observed as Police Commemoration Day every year since. The National Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi — dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Police Commemoration Day 2018 — serves as the focal point for the national ceremony.
Week-Long Commemorative Events Planned
From 22 to 30 October, CAPFs and Central Police Organisations will hold a series of events at the NPM, including visits by family members of martyrs, Police Band Displays, motorcycle rallies, a Run for Martyrs, blood donation camps, essay and painting competitions for children, and screenings of films documenting the sacrifice and service of police personnel. The events are intended to keep public memory of police martyrdom alive and to honour the families who bear the cost of that service.
Point of View
Despite marking one of independent India's earliest blood-drawn confrontations with China on the Himalayan frontier. The pairing of the wreath-laying with a 'Fight Against Drugs' motorcycle rally — routing through nine border-sensitive States and UTs before reaching Gujarat — is a deliberate framing: connecting sacrifice with a contemporary security priority. What would deepen the day's impact is greater institutional transparency on welfare outcomes for martyrs' families, a recurring concern that commemorative events alone cannot address.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Police Commemoration Day and why is it observed on October 21?
Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on 21 October to honour the 10 police personnel who were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, on 21 October 1959. It is a day of national remembrance for all police martyrs who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
What will Home Minister Amit Shah do on Police Commemoration Day 2026?
Amit Shah will pay homage at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, address the assembly, and lay a wreath at the altar of the Hot Springs martyrs. He will also flag off a 90-rider motorcycle rally as part of the nationwide 'Fight Against Drugs' campaign.
What is the 'Fight Against Drugs' motorcycle rally?
It is a nationwide police rally in which riders from all States, UTs, and Central Forces travel across the country and converge at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, to join the Ekta Parade on 31 October. The rally is themed 'Fight Against Drugs' to raise public awareness about the narcotics menace.
What is the National Police Memorial and where is it located?
The National Police Memorial is a dedicated monument at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, honouring police personnel who have died in service. It was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Police Commemoration Day in 2018.
What events are planned after October 21 at the National Police Memorial?
From 22 to 30 October, CAPFs and Central Police Organisations will hold commemorative events at the NPM, including martyr family visits, Police Band Displays, a Run for Martyrs, blood donation camps, children's essay and painting competitions, and film screenings on police sacrifice and valour.
