Punjab Police head constable Satpal Singh manages traffic at a road intersection in Punjab's Bhawanigarh.
Satpal sports 4 rows of medal ribands, including a half blue-half orange one. This one is Vir Chakra - the third most prestigious gallantry award in the country
Deployed on Tiger Hill, Satpal fought and killed Pakistan's Captain Karnal Sher Khan, who was posthumously awarded the highest gallantry award by his country.
Within hours of discovering that a hero of the Kargil war was managing traffic as a mere senior constable, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered an immediate double promotion for the Vir Chakra awardee, whose credentials were ignored at the time of his recruitment in 2010.
The CM said Satpal Singh worked as a mere constable after his act of gallantry during the Kargil war, as the Akali government failed to give him his due.
He said he found out about the situation of Satpal, who also belonged to the CM’s battalion, when he read about it on Friday morning and decided to immediately correct the wrong.
Have promoted Vir Chakra awardee Satpal Singh of the #KargilWar from senior constable to ASI. He deserves special treatment, which previous @Akali_Dal_ govt didn’t deem fit to give him at the time of his recruitment in 2010. This is the least we can do for our brave soldiers. https://t.co/OUHuosvSSA
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 26, 2019
An official spokesperson said Satpal, who had joined Punjab Police after his discharge from the Army, had been awarded a double promotion to be named Assistant Sub Inspector following orders from Capt Amarinder Singh in recognition of his valiant contribution during the Kargil war.
As a special case, Satpal will be recruited as an ASI by relaxing Punjab Police Rules.
Satpal was posted in Drass sector during Operation Vijay. Part of the team that helped the Army capture Tiger Hill, Satpal killed Capt Karnal Sher Khan of the Northern Light Infantry and three others. Sher Khan was later conferred the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award.
Paid homage to the martyred soldiers of the Kargil War at the War Memorial in Chandigarh as we mark the 20th anniversary of #KargilVijayDiwas. I salute our Bravehearts, who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the sanctity of our nation. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/CMelHxUqOo
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 26, 2019
Later, Satpal was recruited to Punjab Police and is currently discharging his duties in an outstanding manner, according to DGP Dinkar Gupta. The DGP said Satpal was posted in Sangrur but had sought transfer to Bhawanigarh six months ago, which was accepted.