Receiving the prestigious Gallantry Medal from the President of India on the occasion of Republic Day is one of the proudest moments for an IPS officer. The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) is awarded to a person for his/her gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. When receiving such a big honor even once is a moment of great pride, imagine receiving it 11 times!
IPS officer Sanjeev Yadav received the President’s Medal for Gallantry for the 11th time this year for his exemplary service to the country. He was conferred with the medal on 26 January 2022 for his unconditional service to the country. Indian Masterminds presents a brief work profile of the decorated police officer.
A TERROR FOR TERRORISTS
The officer who belongs to the AGMUT cadre has been spearheading the anti-terrorist unit of Delhi Police i.e., Special Cell, since 2004. He is the only officer in India who has investigated 44 terror-related cases along with 15 other heinous cases and have arrested more than 100 terrorists of different international terrorist organizations like Indian Mujahedeen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul-Mujahedeen, Khalistan organization, Babbar Khalsa International, Kangleipak Communist Party of North East, SIMI and Naxals.
ENCOUNTER SPECIALIST
A specialist in neutralizing terrorists and gangsters, Mr. Yadav has led operational teams of Special Cell, Delhi Police from the forefront with high perfection and professionalism in more than 55 daunting encounter operations, killing 75 hardened criminals.
He is one officer whose service is immediately required by the government the moment some terror attack happens in the country. Among others, some of the cases that Mr. Yadav has handled are – the Delhi serial blast case of 2005, in which the mastermind of the attack, Abu Hujefa, a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist, was killed during an encounter in Srinagar; Batla House encounter of 2008, which was a highly infamous encounter case of Delhi in which the head of Indian Mujahedeen, Atif Ameen, along with Chhota Sajid was killed; Israel Diplomatic car blast of 2012; IPL spot-fixing case of 2013, in which 6 players of Rajasthan Royals (an IPL team) along with 31 others were arrested.
OTHER HIGH-PROFILE CASES
The operational teams of Special Cell, Delhi Police, led by Mr. Yadav have been credited with destabilizing and eradicating the entire Indian Mujahedeen terrorist organization from India by arresting more than 50 of their members.
Other cases that the officer has handled and excelled in are:
- 2007- UP Court blast case
- 2008- Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Surat Serial blast cases
- 2010- Jama Masjid blast case (the aim was to disturb 2010-CWG of Delhi),
- 2010- German Bakery blast case
- 2011- Chinnaswamy Stadium blast case during IPL
- 2011- Mumbai blast case. Arrested Abu Jundal, a prime accused in 26/11 Mumbai blast case
WINNING MEDALS FOR INDIA
The officer is an excellent shooter both off and on the field. When he is not shooting gangsters and terrorists in the line of duty, he is representing India in world shooting competitions. He won a silver medal at the SAF Games 2019 in shooting and a bronze medal at the 2019 Suhl Germany World Shooting Championship.
