ATS chief Hemant Karkare dies a hero’s death

My Tribute to ATS Chief Hemant Karkare. He wore a helmet, talked on his cellphone and finally put on a bullet-proof jacket before he met his deathly fate in the country’s biggest terror seize.

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who was probing the Malegaon blasts case, suffered three bullet injuries in his chest as he was leading the offensive against the terrorists in one of the places the ultras had holed out early on Thursday morning.The last television visuals of the 54-year-old officer showed him in a light blue shirt and dark trousers surrounded by uniformed policemen armed with firearms and walkie-talkies.

 

Karkare, a 1982 batch IPS officer, became the head of ATS in January this year following his return to the state cadre after serving seven years in Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Austria. One of the brightest officers, Karkare had solved the serial bomb blasts in Thane, Vashi and Panvel and was also credited for the stunning revelations in the investigation of the September 29 blast in Malegaon. He is known for his discipline and fair investigation.

 

During the Malegaon investigation, Karkare had told his officers not to create false evidence, saying, “We should do our job and it is for the court to decide.” Incidentally, the Pune ATS on November 26 reportedly received phone calls threatening to blow up the residence of Karkare “within a couple of days”.

 

In his last interview to a television channel on Wednesday, he referred to getting the custody of Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, and said “police custody would have helped investigations to proceed faster but still we will see how best to deal with it in a legal way”.

I am Proud on this  Brave Officer. I pray to GOD to give him peace in heaven.

Three top cops die on duty

Good Evening friends, My tribute to all these 3 officer who give their life for Nation. My tribute to all ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and additional commissioner Ashok Kamte. I salute to all of them. I said I am proud of you SIR.

Three police officers, including chief of ATS Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and additional commissioner Ashok Kamte

succumbed to their injuries in Wednesday’s terror attack.

Karkare, IPS officer of the 1982 batch, had served in RAW for nine years and was made the ATS chief in January this year. He had solved the serial bomb blasts in Thane, Vashi and Panvel. The credit for the stunning revelations in the investigation of the September 29 blast in Malegaon goes to his credit. Karkare is known for his discipline and fair investigation. During the Malegaon investigation, Karkare had told his officers not to create false evidence, saying, “We have done our job and it is for the court to decide.”

Vijay Salaskar, officer of the 1983 batch, had till recently killed around 75 dreaded criminals in police encounters. After being out of the spotlight for quite sometime, the encounter specialist was given the plum posting of heading the anti-extortion wing of the crime branch.

Ashok Kamte was the DCP, Zone 1, in Mumbai and was also the key officer in state police. He had also served as the commissioner of Solapur and was always known to be in the thick of action.