Ashok Kamte
Encyclopedia
Ashok Kamte was the Additional Commissioner
of Mumbai Police
for the East Region. He was killed in terrorist action during the 2008 Mumbai attacks
. His bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra
on 26 January 2009.
in 1980. He attended The Rajkumar College
, Rajkot, then Kodaikanal International School
for five years, graduating from 12th grade with the Class of 1982. He completed his bachelor's degree from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai graduating in 1985 and post graduate degree in Arts from St. Stephen's College, Delhi
1985-87. An accomplished athlete, he represented India
at the junior power-lifting championship in Peru
in 1978.
Ashok Kamte was survived by his wife Vinita, two sons Rahul (15) and Arjun (8), his father Colonel
M.R. Kamte (Retd.) of the Indian Army
, mother, Prem and a sister, Sharmila.
officer of the 1989 batch of the Maharashtra
Cadre
Service Record
1989 - Joined state as an Indian Police Service
officer
1991 - Posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Bhandara
1994 - Superintendent of Police, Satara
1997 - 99 - Superintendent of Police, Thane rural
1999 - 2000: U N Mission, Bosnia
2000 - 2002: DCP, zone-1 Mumbai
2002 - 2004: Superintendent of Police, Sangli
2004 - 2005: Superintendent of Police, Kolhapur
2006 - 2008: Commissioner of Police, Solapur
June 2008 - Nov 2008: Additional Commissioner of Police, East zone, Mumbai
Service Medals
1995 - Special service medal anti-naxalite operations
1999 - UN medal
1999 - Videsh seva medal for UN service
2004 - Awarded DG's insignia
2005 - Antarik Suraksha Padak for anti-naxalite operations
2006 - Police medal
Kamte came into media limelight after an August 2007 incident in Solapur
when he arrested Ravikant Patil, a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly
from Indi in neighboring Karnataka
. Patil and his supporters were celebrating at the residence of Patil's brother Ratikant a Shiv Sena
leader. They scuffled when police tried to enforce the law against bursting of crackers late in the night. Kamte sustained hand injuries in the process of arresting Patil. Patil suffered multiple wounds. The incident created an uproar in political circles but the people of Solapur supported Kamte. Kamte told the Times of India: "Law is equal for all and nobody has the right to violate it".
During Mumbai's occasional communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, the areas under his supervision remained largely free of riots. He was known to be a secular officer and equally loved and respected by both communities.
"He was a daredevil officer who had gained popularity matching [that of] a Bollywood hero. He himself was on the roads maintaining peace after the Khairlanji
massacre. While other cities in the state witnessed violence, Solapur remained calm", said Anand Salunkhe, former member of Solapur Municipal Transport.
Nearly 3000 people turned up to pay their respects to Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte who was cremated in Pune with full state honours. Kamte was one of the most respected and admired officers of the Mumbai Police force. News of his death sent shock waves not just across Maharasthra but across South India, where he had served in Belgaum
for a period.
He was specially summoned on Wednesday night to deal with the terrorists who had laid siege to Mumbai. Kamte was part of the 1989 batch of the IPS of the Maharashtra cadre.
Kamte was shot along with Vijay Salaskar in a narrow lane between St. Xaviers College and Rang Bhavan by the terrorists.
"A cop that turned Solapur from a wrong city to the right one. The person who every responsible Solapurkar liked and loved. This community has been created to pay the respect and gratitude that he deserves," Survived by his wife and two children, Kamte is remembered by his friends at the IPS Academy as well as journalists that interacted with him as one of the bravest officers, ready to face any challenge in the line of duty".
Kamte was one of the 14 men from the police force who lost their lives in Mumbai's latest and biggest fight against terror.
by terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, on 26 November 2008 in a narrow lane between St. Xavier's College and the Rang Bhavan opposite Corporation Bank ATM just a stone away from Crime Branch office.
As Mr. Kamte was known for his cool temperament and negotiation skills he was summoned when attack began. He was the Additional Commissioner of West zone, an area not under attack. When he reached CST area, he met ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and others. They took a Qualis from the Azad Maidan Police Station (AMPS), with Kamte taking AK47 himself. When they reached rear entrance of the Cama and Albless Hospital ( Cama ) which is next to AMPS, Kamte fired at terrorists, to which the terrorists retaliated with handgrenade so Kamte suggested to take on terrorists from front entrance of Cama. By then the terrorists had left Cama sensing trouble. As the cops were moving they received wireless message that terrorists were hiding behind a red car in the same lane. At that time they spotted a terrorist running, Kamte fired, injuring him. He was Kasab lone terrorist captured alive later that night. As they were about to get down another Pakistani terrorist, Ibrahim Khan fired volley of bullets killing all but Asst. Police Inspector Arun Jadhav. Kamte was hit in the head although he was wearing helmet ( but no bulletproof jacket ) ( Times of India 19 December 2008 )
India Express quotes statements by API Arun Jadhav, who was with the officers Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar
and Hemant Karkare
when they died.
The three officers and four constables had received information that Sadanand Date
had been injured in the gunfire at the Cama and Albless Hospital
for women and children.
Currently located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
(CST), a ten-minute drive from the hospital, they took a Toyota Qualis and proceeded in that direction. Kamte was in the passenger seat, Salaskar driving, Karkare in the second row, and the four Constables, including Jadhav, were in the back row of seating. According to Jadhav, five minutes later two terrorists stepped out from behind a tree and opened fire with AK-47
automatic rifles.Kamte was the sole officer who managed to retaliate,wounding terrorist Ajmal in the arm. The six policemen, other than Jadhav, were all killed quickly in the gunfire. The wounded Jadhav had no opportunity to render assistance. The two terrorists approached the vehicle, dumped the bodies of the three officers on the road and, leaving the constables for dead, proceeded to Metro Junction
. Upon arrival, they aimed three bursts of automatic fire at police and journalist vehicles drawn up at that location, then drove off towards the government offices (Vidhan Bhawan
) in South Mumbai. Here again they fired several times. While attempting to leave the area, one of the tyres of the vehicle burst, so the terrorists departed to obtain another. At this point, Jadhav was able to contact headquarters. The bodies of the dead were promptly recovered and taken to St George Hospital
.
The body of Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, was cremated with State honours at the Vaikunth cremotorium on 27 December 2008. A large number of high-ranking police officers participated in the funeral procession, including: Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane and district collector Chandrakant Dalvi. Around 3,000 people were present.
Deputy Inspector General of Police
A deputy inspector general of police is a high ranking senior police officer in several countries.- India :Deputy inspector general of police or additional commissioner of police is a one-star rank in the Indian Police Service...
of Mumbai Police
Mumbai Police
The Mumbai Police is the police force of the city of Mumbai, India. It has the primary responsibilities of law enforcement and investigation within the limits of Mumbai. The department's motto is ""...
for the East Region. He was killed in terrorist action during the 2008 Mumbai attacks
2008 Mumbai attacks
The 2008 Mumbai attacks were more than 10 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, India's largest city, by Islamist attackers who came from Pakistan...
. His bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra
Ashoka Chakra Award
The Ashok Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other...
on 26 January 2009.
Personal Background
Today's Shahid Ashok Kamte birthday (23 Feb. 1965 ) was an international scholarship recipient at Camp Rising SunCamp Rising Sun
Camp Rising Sun is an invitation-only, international, full-scholarship, leadership summer program for students aged 14–16. Operated by the Louis August Jonas Foundation , a non-profit organization, the program lasts for seven weeks...
in 1980. He attended The Rajkumar College
Rajkumar College
Rajkumar College may refer to :-Rajkumar College, RajkotRajkumar College, Raipur...
, Rajkot, then Kodaikanal International School
Kodaikanal International School
Kodaikanal International School is a co-educational independent residential school offering education for grades P-12. It is located on in Kodaikanal, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, South India. Kodaikanal is a hill station at in the Palani Hills, north-west of Madurai.Early alumni of KIS include US...
for five years, graduating from 12th grade with the Class of 1982. He completed his bachelor's degree from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai graduating in 1985 and post graduate degree in Arts from St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
1985-87. An accomplished athlete, he represented India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
at the junior power-lifting championship in Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
in 1978.
Ashok Kamte was survived by his wife Vinita, two sons Rahul (15) and Arjun (8), his father Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
M.R. Kamte (Retd.) of the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
, mother, Prem and a sister, Sharmila.
Assignments in Police Career
An Indian Police ServiceIndian Police Service
The Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...
officer of the 1989 batch of the Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
Cadre
Service Record
1989 - Joined state as an Indian Police Service
Indian Police Service
The Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...
officer
1991 - Posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Bhandara
1994 - Superintendent of Police, Satara
1997 - 99 - Superintendent of Police, Thane rural
1999 - 2000: U N Mission, Bosnia
2000 - 2002: DCP, zone-1 Mumbai
2002 - 2004: Superintendent of Police, Sangli
Sangli
Sangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
2004 - 2005: Superintendent of Police, Kolhapur
2006 - 2008: Commissioner of Police, Solapur
Solapur
Solapur is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra . It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population...
June 2008 - Nov 2008: Additional Commissioner of Police, East zone, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
Service Medals
1995 - Special service medal anti-naxalite operations
1999 - UN medal
1999 - Videsh seva medal for UN service
2004 - Awarded DG's insignia
2005 - Antarik Suraksha Padak for anti-naxalite operations
2006 - Police medal
Functioning Style as a Police Officer
Daring, but with an exceptionally cool head made Ashok Kamte an excellent negotiator in crisis situations—a quality for which he was summoned late night on 26 November 2008 to deal with terrorists holed up in Mumbai buildings. In his police career, Kamte earned a substantial following of ordinary citizens as he took on hardened criminals as well as politicians with criminal background. Shortly after his taking over the Sangli police department, notorious criminal Raju Pujari was killed in a police encounter.Kamte came into media limelight after an August 2007 incident in Solapur
Solapur
Solapur is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra . It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population...
when he arrested Ravikant Patil, a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
from Indi in neighboring Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. Patil and his supporters were celebrating at the residence of Patil's brother Ratikant a Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena , is a political party in India founded on 19 June 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray. It is currently headed by Thackeray's son, Uddhav Thackeray...
leader. They scuffled when police tried to enforce the law against bursting of crackers late in the night. Kamte sustained hand injuries in the process of arresting Patil. Patil suffered multiple wounds. The incident created an uproar in political circles but the people of Solapur supported Kamte. Kamte told the Times of India: "Law is equal for all and nobody has the right to violate it".
During Mumbai's occasional communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, the areas under his supervision remained largely free of riots. He was known to be a secular officer and equally loved and respected by both communities.
"He was a daredevil officer who had gained popularity matching [that of] a Bollywood hero. He himself was on the roads maintaining peace after the Khairlanji
Khairlanji
Khairlanji is a small village in mohadi tahsil of Bhandara district of Indian State of Maharashtra.The village comes in limelight due to Kherlanji massacre of 2006 lynching-style murders of a Dalit family by members of the Kunbi, a backward caste in India....
massacre. While other cities in the state witnessed violence, Solapur remained calm", said Anand Salunkhe, former member of Solapur Municipal Transport.
Nearly 3000 people turned up to pay their respects to Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte who was cremated in Pune with full state honours. Kamte was one of the most respected and admired officers of the Mumbai Police force. News of his death sent shock waves not just across Maharasthra but across South India, where he had served in Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
for a period.
He was specially summoned on Wednesday night to deal with the terrorists who had laid siege to Mumbai. Kamte was part of the 1989 batch of the IPS of the Maharashtra cadre.
Kamte was shot along with Vijay Salaskar in a narrow lane between St. Xaviers College and Rang Bhavan by the terrorists.
"A cop that turned Solapur from a wrong city to the right one. The person who every responsible Solapurkar liked and loved. This community has been created to pay the respect and gratitude that he deserves," Survived by his wife and two children, Kamte is remembered by his friends at the IPS Academy as well as journalists that interacted with him as one of the bravest officers, ready to face any challenge in the line of duty".
Kamte was one of the 14 men from the police force who lost their lives in Mumbai's latest and biggest fight against terror.
Death
Ashok Kamte was killed in actionKilled in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
by terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, on 26 November 2008 in a narrow lane between St. Xavier's College and the Rang Bhavan opposite Corporation Bank ATM just a stone away from Crime Branch office.
As Mr. Kamte was known for his cool temperament and negotiation skills he was summoned when attack began. He was the Additional Commissioner of West zone, an area not under attack. When he reached CST area, he met ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and others. They took a Qualis from the Azad Maidan Police Station (AMPS), with Kamte taking AK47 himself. When they reached rear entrance of the Cama and Albless Hospital ( Cama ) which is next to AMPS, Kamte fired at terrorists, to which the terrorists retaliated with handgrenade so Kamte suggested to take on terrorists from front entrance of Cama. By then the terrorists had left Cama sensing trouble. As the cops were moving they received wireless message that terrorists were hiding behind a red car in the same lane. At that time they spotted a terrorist running, Kamte fired, injuring him. He was Kasab lone terrorist captured alive later that night. As they were about to get down another Pakistani terrorist, Ibrahim Khan fired volley of bullets killing all but Asst. Police Inspector Arun Jadhav. Kamte was hit in the head although he was wearing helmet ( but no bulletproof jacket ) ( Times of India 19 December 2008 )
India Express quotes statements by API Arun Jadhav, who was with the officers Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar
Vijay Salaskar
Vijay Salaskar was a Senior Police Inspector and encounter specialist serving with the Mumbai police. He was widely credited with killing 75–80 criminals in encounters — most of these were members of the Arun Gawli gang...
and Hemant Karkare
Hemant Karkare
Hemant Karkare was the chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad. He was killed during the 2008 Mumbai attacks after being shot three times in the chest...
when they died.
The three officers and four constables had received information that Sadanand Date
Sadanand Date
Sadanand Date is an officer of 1990 batch of Indian Police Service . He has held several important posts at both state and national levels of the IPS, including serving as deputy inspector general of police in the Central Bureau of Investigation . He gained a doctorate from Pune University , having...
had been injured in the gunfire at the Cama and Albless Hospital
Cama Hospital
The Cama & Albless Hospital is a major hospital for women and children in the city of Mumbai, India, with 367 beds.-History:It was attacked during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It appears that the situation at Cama Hospital has been resolved as of Thursday morning; however, it is unknown whether the...
for women and children.
Currently located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. Situated in the Bori Bunder area of Mumbai, it was built as a new railway station on the location of the Bori Bunder Station in 1887...
(CST), a ten-minute drive from the hospital, they took a Toyota Qualis and proceeded in that direction. Kamte was in the passenger seat, Salaskar driving, Karkare in the second row, and the four Constables, including Jadhav, were in the back row of seating. According to Jadhav, five minutes later two terrorists stepped out from behind a tree and opened fire with AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
automatic rifles.Kamte was the sole officer who managed to retaliate,wounding terrorist Ajmal in the arm. The six policemen, other than Jadhav, were all killed quickly in the gunfire. The wounded Jadhav had no opportunity to render assistance. The two terrorists approached the vehicle, dumped the bodies of the three officers on the road and, leaving the constables for dead, proceeded to Metro Junction
Metro Junction Mall
Metro Junction Mall is a shopping mall located in Kalyan, Mumbai, India. The mall was inaugurated in April 2008 and has an area of . Metro Junction Mall is one of the biggest malls in Mumbai & most Spacious too.-Shops in the mall:# Reebok# NASTOSA# Bata...
. Upon arrival, they aimed three bursts of automatic fire at police and journalist vehicles drawn up at that location, then drove off towards the government offices (Vidhan Bhawan
Vidhan Sabha
The Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is the lower house or the sole house of the provincial legislature in the different states of India. The same name is also used for the lower house of the legislatures for two of the union territories, Delhi and Pondicherry...
) in South Mumbai. Here again they fired several times. While attempting to leave the area, one of the tyres of the vehicle burst, so the terrorists departed to obtain another. At this point, Jadhav was able to contact headquarters. The bodies of the dead were promptly recovered and taken to St George Hospital
St George Hospital, Mumbai
St George Hospital is a multispeciality hospital in Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , in the Fort district of Mumbai. It was also known as the European General Hospital as it initially catered for European patients only....
.
The body of Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, was cremated with State honours at the Vaikunth cremotorium on 27 December 2008. A large number of high-ranking police officers participated in the funeral procession, including: Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane and district collector Chandrakant Dalvi. Around 3,000 people were present.
See also
- Havaldar Gajender SinghHavaldar Gajender SinghHavaldar Gajender Singh Bisht was an NSG commando who died during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His act of bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra award by the President of India on 26 January 2009, India's republic day.-Childhood:...
- Sandeep UnnikrishnanSandeep UnnikrishnanSandeep Unnikrishnan was a Major in the Indian Army serving in the elite Special Action Group of the National Security Guards . He was killed in action while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks...
- Hemant KarkareHemant KarkareHemant Karkare was the chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad. He was killed during the 2008 Mumbai attacks after being shot three times in the chest...
- Vijay SalaskarVijay SalaskarVijay Salaskar was a Senior Police Inspector and encounter specialist serving with the Mumbai police. He was widely credited with killing 75–80 criminals in encounters — most of these were members of the Arun Gawli gang...
External links
- http://uk.f573.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?clean=0&fid=Inbox&mid=1_4348141_ACpkxEIAACunS%2FKmpQszGBtG4eg&pid=2&tnef=&prefFilename=A&redirectURL=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.mc573.mail.yahoo.com%2Fmc%2FshowMessage%3Fcmd%3Ddownload.failure%26fid%3DInbox%26mid%3D1_4348141_ACpkxEIAACunS%252FKmpQszGBtG4eg%26pid%3D2%26tnef%3D%26prefFilename%3DA&view=none&cb=parent.attachmentFailRock-Solid Tribute To 26/11 Martyrs, Bhuinj,(Satara), Times of India, May 18, 2010]
- Obituary India: Kamte, Ashok