Lets Stand up and Salute ASI Tukaram Omble (5 Dec. 2008)
Other than the three top cops of Mumbai police, Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar who were killed in the recent attack on Mumbai by terrorists, people have forgotten a real hero. Tukaram Omble, 48, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), the only cop who with his daredevil courage helped in the nabbing of a terrorist on 26/11 alive.
Omble was asked by his senior officer to take up a position on Marine drive on Wednesday night, as soon as the news of firings at Leopold Café, Oberoi and Taj Hotels came in.
Subsequently, at 12.45 am, Omble got an alert on his walkie-talkie that two terrorists had hijacked a Skoda car and were heading towards Girgaum Chowpatty. Minutes later Omble saw the Skoda drtiving past him. He jumped onto his two- wheeler and chased the terrorist's car.
A team from the DB Marg police station was busy setting up a naka bandi at the Chowpatty signal. As soon as the car approached the signal the terrorists fired at the police team but had to reduce the speed of the car, thanks to the barricades laid by the police team for naka bandi.
Omble overtook the Skoda and stopped in front of it, forcing the driver of the car to change the direction towards right and hit the divider.
With one terrorist busy controlling the car, Omble sprang on other terrorist, Amir Kasab and caught hold of the barrel of the AK-47 rifle with both hands. In retaliation Kasab pulled the trigger of the gun, whose barrel was pointed towards Omble.
A spray of bullets entered Omble's stomach and intestines. But the latter held on to the gun until his last breath, stopping Kasab from shooting anyone else.
In next to no time other cops arrived and killed another terrorist, Ismail, pounced on Kasab and captured him.Investigating agencies were successful in gathering lot of information from the sole terrorist who has been arrested. But this was only possible because of Omble's daredevil move.
Omble is survived by his wife and four daughters. He is a real hero, who has been forgotten by people as well as the politicians who are busy in resigning and giving up their responsibilities rather than to fight against such terrorism.
http://saravs.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/12/02/Lets-Stand-up-and-Salute-ASI-Tukaram-Omble.html
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Updated on
The name and bravery of Sri Tukaram Omble, who sacrificed his life in nabbing Kasab,
the prized catch in the Mumbai attacks,
has now been recorded in the History of India for ever
to be remembered, recalled and to remain as an inspiration for generations to come.
The Nation’s highest Honour, the Ashok Chakra has been conferred on him yesterday.
The Nation salutes this Hero with pride and tears too.
He has left behind his wife and three daughters.
It is the duty of us and this Nation to take care of them.
While closing this note with a prayer for their well-being,
I can not help but wonder why I could not spot a single photo
of the conferment of the Ashok Chakra (given to his wife) yesterday…..
Hope his memory is not lost as a one-day wonder!!
-jayasree
