Pune: After the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is still facing challenges to identify the attackers. DIG Birendra Kumar Toppo said, “It is difficult to fight invisible enemies. This is a big challenge for us.”
Toppo was speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by the Pune Saraf Association (PSA) to honour 15 families of soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack.
“We have seen many changes in the past few years. There are still a few challenges, which we have to overcome but the situation has improved as compared to before. Earlier, we were not able to infiltrate but now, we are attacking the root cause of the problem. Naxalism is still a big issue,” said Toppo.
“We are grateful to the association for honouring the families of the soldiers. Such events will surely boost their morale and strengthen their faith. Today, internal security has become very important as we don’t know who the enemy is. But the CRPF has been doing its duty diligently. We are being attacked from all sides but we take up the challenging task of defending the country. At times, we don’t even know if we are going to see
another day but then we have to serve the nation,” Toppo added.
Fatechand Ranka, President of PSA, said, “The association has collected over Rs 15-16 lakh and decided to hand over the cheques of Rs 1 lakh directly to the families. We were upset after the dastardly attack on the soldiers and we wanted to reach out and help their families.”
Deputy Commandant of CRPF Sachin Gaikwad said, “When a soldier dies, thousands of people attend the funeral service. But as time goes by, everything is forgotten, including their families. The monetary help from the PSA will surely help the families.”
Fatehchand Ranka PSA President Nitin Ashtekar PSA Vice President, Amrut Solanki PSA Secretary, Rajabhau Waikar PSA Joint Secretary, Kumarpal Solanki PSA Treasurer and Vipul Ashtekar Committee Chairperson, along with other dignitaries including Assistant Commandant of CRPF Santosh Bhosale and the jawans of the unit were also present.
