New Delhi: A 55-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died on Tuesday due to coronavirus infection, officials said.
This is the first death due to the pandemic among the about 10 lakh personnel strong Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) or the paramilitary forces that function under the Union Home Ministry for upkeep of internal security and border guarding.
"The CRPF personnel was a brave soldier who fought against COVID-19 till his last breath...I had a talk with his family member on Monday and told then that entire country is with them at this situation," said Home Minister Amit Shah following his death.
The assistant sub-inspector (ASI) rank official hailing from Sarupta of Barpeta district in Assam was admitted to the Safdarjung hospital on April 24 after being detected positive for the virus.
"The personnel died on Tuesday due to COVID-19 infection. He was posted with the 31st battalion of the force based in Delhi," a senior official said.
At least 23 other personnel of this battalion have been admitted with coronavirus after they are suspected to have contracted the virus from another colleague found positive in their camp.
There have been a few positive cases in other CAPFs like the BSF and CISF.
The CRPF is country's largest paramilitary force with about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks and it is designated as the lead internal security force apart from the mainstay for anti-Naxal operations and counter-terrorist duties in the Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, India till Tuesday evening registered 29,974 positive COVID-19 cases across the country with 22010 still active cases.
As many as 7026 people have been cured from COVID-19 where as 937 deaths also took place till date.
Health Ministry statistics said that Maharashtra registered the highest COVID-19 cases in India with a total of 8590 followed by Gujarat 3548 and Delhi 3108.
With inputs from PTI
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