New Delhi:More than a year after he miraculously survived nine bullet injuries he received during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, CRPF Commandant – Chetan Kumar Cheetah has once again joined active duty.
Cheetah, who was awarded second highest peacetime gallantry medal – Kirti Chakra last Independence Day, has joined the CRPF’s directorate at CGO Complex for the moment and is waiting for a posting.
Officials said that for now, Cheetah will be given office related work as he has not completely recovered to go back to combat duties.
TOI couldn’t contact Cheetah himself, but his wife Uma Singh said, “There are small issues (related to his health) which will take some time. But he is very happy to join back and is even eager to go back to the combat duties”.
Officials said that the injured officer would need another year or two to be completely back to normal but his zeal to serve the nation is inspiring and youngsters joining the central paramilitary forces or army should learn from him.He was Commanding Officer (CO) of CRPF’s 45th battalion in Kashmir Valley and had suffered bullet injuries in his brain, right eye, abdomen, both the arms, left hand and in the buttock region while fighting the terrorists in Bandipora on February 14 last year. He remained in coma for almost one and a half months before gaining consciousness.
After the attack last year, Cheetah was lauded by home minister Rajnath Singh, Army chief Bipin Rawat, several ministers and chiefs of all the forces for his bravery.