Kamlesh Kumari
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Kamlesh Kumari was a recipient of Ashoka Chakra Award, India's highest peacetime award. She was the woman constable of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) who died defending the parliament of India from terrorist attack on 13 December 2001.
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[edit] Career
Constable Kamlesh Kumari joined the force in 1994 and was first posted with the elite 104 Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Allahabad. Soon after, she was posted at the 88 Mahila Battalion on July 12, 2001. She became part of the Bravo Company, which is deployed in Parliament when in session.
[edit] 13 December 2001
Kamlesh Kumari was posted near the X-ray machine at Gate No 12 of the Parliament House. She saw the ambassador, DL 3C J 1527, heading from Vijay Chowk towards the gate. Kamlesh was the first security person to walk up to the car, laden with a deadly cargo and driven by men with the agenda of spreading terror and mayhem.
Kamlesh, realising something was amiss, ran towards the gate to shut it. The terrorists, their cover blown, opened fire. Eleven bullets from the guns caught Kamlesh in her stomach and she fell. It was 11.50 in the morning.
Kamlesh's alertness prevented a human bomb among the terrorists from executing his plan; the closing of Gate No 1 and the alarm raised gave time for other security personnel to take position and shoot the bomber.
[edit] Family
She is survived by Avdesh, her husband, and their daughters Jyoti and Shweta. They hail from the village Sikandarpur in Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.The family was earlier staying in Vikaspuri, Delhi.
[edit] Award
Kamlesh was posthumously awarded the nation's highest peacetime award, the Ashoka Chakra Award, by the President of India on Republic Day in 2002 for her bravery and courage. Prime Minister A B Vajapeyee also paid tribute to her.
