- By Yashashvi Tak
- Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 40-year-old Inspector Ashish Sharma, one of the most distinguished officers of Madhya Pradesh’s elite anti-Maoist unit, Hawk Force, tragically lost his life during a high-risk early morning operation in the dense forests near the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra trijunction on Wednesday. Known across the force for his courage and leadership, Sharma was a two-time gallantry medal recipient who consistently led operations from the front.
On the day of the encounter, he was heading a joint team comprising police personnel from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, acting on precise intelligence about a large contingent of heavily armed Maoists operating deep within Chhattisgarh territory.
As the team moved through thick forest cover around 8:30 am, they were ambushed by Maoists, triggering an intense gunfight. Inspector Sharma, true to his reputation for fearlessness, positioned himself at the forefront, directing his team and ensuring their safety. During the exchange of fire, he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his thigh and abdomen.
Despite immediate medical attention at Dongargarh Community Health Centre in Rajnandgaon district, the severity of his injuries proved fatal. Special DG (Anti-Maoist Operations) Pankaj Shrivastava confirmed that the team had also inflicted casualties on the Maoist side, though the final figures will be determined once the operation concludes.
Inspector Sharma’s career with Hawk Force, particularly in Balaghat district, was marked by exceptional bravery and tactical skill. Earlier this year, he received an out-of-turn promotion for leading a critical mission that neutralized three hardened female Maoist operatives in the Raunda forests, earning widespread recognition within the police ranks.
His colleagues remember him not just as a skilled officer, but as a composed and committed leader who inspired his team under fire. His death is a deep loss to the anti-Maoist operations community and a reminder of the perils faced by those on the frontlines against insurgency.
This tribute captures the bravery, leadership, and ultimate sacrifice of Inspector Sharma, a revered figure in India’s fight against Maoist extremism.