Author: Saravjit Kahlon
Publication: Saravs.Rediffiland.com
Date: December 2, 2008
URL: http://saravs.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/12/02/Lets-Stand-up-and-Salute-ASI-Tukaram-Omble.html
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 was 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.