Meet CRPF jawan who rescued 3-year-old in Sopore encounter

The CRPF jawan, who rescued the three-year-old child from terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district is Pawan Kumar Choubey, a hard trained CoBRA Commando of CRPF who has been involved in multiple operations in Jammu and Kashmir since 2016. Pawan Kumar hails from Varanasi and is from the 179 battalion.

New Delhi: The heart-wrenching photograph of a CRPF Jawan rescuing a toddler from getting hit by bullets after terrorists opened fire at a patrol party in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district has gone viral on social media.

The CRPF jawan, who rescued the three-year-old child from terrorists is Pawan Kumar Choubey, a hard trained CoBRA Commando of CRPF who has been involved in multiple operations in Jammu and Kashmir since 2016.

The young jawan joined the force in 2010 and after dealing with Naxals he was transferred to Jammu and Kashmir to tackle terrorism in 2016.

Pawan Kumar hails from Varanasi and is from the 179 battalion which came under attack on Tuesday morning.

CRPF jawan Pawan Kumar Choubey with is father (file photo)

Read: JK police deny civilian killed in firing by security forces

"Prior to serving in Jammu and Kashmir, he was in 203 CoBRA battalion of CRPF which is an anti-Naxal battalion specially raised to deal with Naxalism. He performed there very well and later got transferred to another conflict zone Jammu and Kashmir. He is serving in Sopore since 2016 and has involved in various operations and other duties," a senior CRPF official said.

When terrorists started firing from a mosque, Pawan Kumar saw the child sitting on his grandfather's body. He went closer to him took cover and beckoned him to advance towards him.

Pleased with his courage, Narendra Pal Singh, Commandant 95 battalion, reached the village of Pawan Choubey and honoured his parents.

Pawan Kumar Choubey's family members in Varanasi

Read: Jawan killed as terrorists attack CRPF Patrol Party in Jammu and Kashmir

The toddler walked towards Pawan and later he was whisked away from the encounter spot by security forces.

It is to be noted that Pawan's entire family is proud of Pawan's heroics. His wife Shubhangi is proud of her husband's bravery and congratulated him. She also prayed to god to keep Pawan safe and sound.

This is not the first time that terrorists have targeted children and civilian in Jammu and Kashmir. On June 26, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan and a five-year boy were killed by terrorists after they attacked security forces in Bijbehara.

Later, in an encounter in Bijbehara, two terrorists who killed a CPRF jawan and the kid eliminated by the security forces.

(With inputs from ANI)