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Source: Wikipedia.com

History remembers leaders who work for the betterment of the country, but often, some people quietly change the course of an incident without being fully recognised. Constable Kamlesh Kumari Yadav was not a politician or a public figure. She was a CRPF constable, a wife and a mother to two daughters. She believed that duty and country come first before everything else. Kamlesh was born in Sikanderpur, Uttar Pradesh. She joined the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 1994. She served with the elite 104 Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Allahabad. Later, she was transferred to 88 Mahila (Women’s) Battalion, where she became part of Bravo Company, the unit which was assigned for Parliament’s security. Like thousands of security officers across the country, she stayed away from her home, family, children and husband for months, missing birthdays and festivals to follow her duty, while wearing her uniform with pride, and she believed that protecting the nation was a responsibility worth every sacrifice.

On the morning of 13 December 2001,  in New Delhi, the parliament was in session; members of parliament (MPs), ministers and senior officials were moving through the building as they did on any ordinary day. Kamlesh was posted on Gate No. 1 and was carrying out routine security checks. Around 11.40 am, a White Ambassador Car approached near the parliament complex. At first glance, it did not appear unusual. Ambassador cars were commonly used by politicians and ministers, and this one carried a red beacon and fake parliament stickers, which did not sit right with Kamlesh. Her years of experience had sharpened her instincts. She noticed the unusuality of the vehicle, and as she stepped forward to stop the car and ask for identification, the car suddenly accelerated instead of slowing down. She got a glance, and inside the car were five heavily armed terrorists. Equipped with only a baton and her walkie-talkie, she immediately recognised the danger. She alerted other officers by shouting and speaking on her walkie-talkie. She ran back to her post to seal the gate. The terrorists realised Kamlesh had blown off their cover and they could not move further; they opened fire, and Kamlesh was struck by 11 bullets. Unfortunately, she became the first victim of the parliament terrorist attack.

Her warning alerted other security officers,s which changed the course of the attack in seconds. Because of her instincts and alertness, the suicide bomber among the terrorists did not succeed in executing his plan. According to sources, more than 100 people, including politicians and government officials, ls were present in the building during the attack. If Kamlesh had not alerted on time or even before anything had occurred, one can only wonder how many lives would have been lost because of the attack. Other CRPF officials, including Santosh Kumar, were alerted,d and he shot down 3 terrorists. The attack escalated, and the gun shootout between the terrorists and the CRPF officers led to the loss of 9 lives,s including six Delhi Police Officers, two Parliament Security Officers and a Gardener. The 5 terrorists were all killed outside the Parliament. The terrorists never got a chance to enter the building, and all the parliament members and government officials evacuated the building on time and unharmed.

The investigation later revealed that the terrorists intended to execute a deadlier attack by using automatic weapons and explosives. The attack had a major consequence. It ignited tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in the 2001-02 India-Pakistan Military Standoff. This incident remains one of the major terrorist attacks carried out on India.

Kamlesh Kumari Yadav was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, on Republic Day, 2002. She became the first policewoman to receive the honour. However, her family had lost a daughter, a wife and a mother. Her husband and two daughters were left with memories of her. But they also had something priceless:s; the knowledge that she gave her life to protect millions of others. She did not sacrifice her life thinking about awards or a biography; she simply did her duty for her country. She did not have any weapons on her that day; her greatest weapon was her presence of mind, experience and the courage to act in seconds. The incident reminds us that it was India’s first terrorist attack, but at its core it also speaks of a woman’s bravery and commendable presence of mind which needs to be remembered. Kamlesh remains one of the courageous women even decades later because she not only protected the Parliament that day; she protected India itself. She is one of the unsung warriors, the epitome of bravery and presence of mind. Her instinctive act of bravery reminds all Indians that history is also shaped by those who are not in the spotlight and who choose to stand their ground when it matters the most.

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