Hyderabad: Top national honour Shaurya Chakra went this time to exceptionally brave Telangana state Counter-Intelligence cop Kukadapu Srinivasulu who held a most-wanted terror suspect in his hands for two hours even while struggling through a stab injury and the intestine coming out of his abdomen.
The brave act took place in Bengaluru on January 23 this year. The TS cop is among a list of 12 —- mostly from the Indian Army and two policemen including one from Nagaland — who received the highest peacetime gallantry medal on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day on Monday. Police constable K. Srinivasulu working with TS Counter-Intelligence cell nabbed terror suspect Alem Jeb Afridi of Gujarat.
Intel cop showed dedication
Top national honour Shaurya Chakra went this time to exceptionally brave Telangana state Counter-Intelligence cop Kukadapu Srinivasulu who held a most-wanted terror suspect in his hands for two hours even being injured.
The terrorist, Alem Jeb Afridi, was on the list of “most wanted” of the National Investigation Agency, the CBI and several states. He was caught by the Counter-Intelligence cell of TS in Bengaluru in a raid. Afridi alias Mohammed Rafiq alias Jaweed, son of Maskur Ahamed, was wanted in several blast cases including the Bengaluru church blast.
As per the police case, on December 28 in 2014, at about 8.30 pm, Afridi along with others caused an IED blast in front of the Coconut Grove Bar and Restaurant on Church Street killing one dead and injuring three. Since then, he had been absconding.
A TS intelligence official said, “Based on a tip-off, TS Counter-Intelligence cell including constable Sriniva-sulu and three other policemen knocked at the hideout of Afridi. The terror suspect whipped out a knife and stabbed Srinivasulu as he was trying to arrest him.”
Srinivasulu is a native of Nalgonda. Narrating the experience, he said: “As Afridi stabbed me, my intestine came out. With one hand, I took a piece of cloth and towel and tied it to my abdomen. We held him till reinforcement teams came. I rushed to a hospital only after he was hand-cuffed.”
Mr Srinivasulu remained in a hospital in Bengaluru for 20 days, followed by bedrest at home for a few more weeks. Mr Srinivasulu says he had grown up with a passion to be in the police.
“I am proud of getting the Shaurya Chakra. The police department of TS has given me an opportunity to serve the nation and I will continue the work with dedication.” The three other cops who were part of the team received Police Medals for Gallantry.
