When the nation was under attack on 26/11/2008, a few brave men were in the forefront, trying to fend off the the most horrific terrorist irruption in India in the recent history. Ashok Kamte was one of those few good men who martyred for the country that day. He was 42 years old, survived by his wife Vinita and sons, Arjun and Rahul. On 26th January, 2009, Kamte was honored with the Ashoka Chakra. Today, on his birthday, we bring to you a peek into his life, the story of his heroism and some facts that were never really was brought much into attention. Born into a family of cops: Kamte, born on February 23, 1965, belonged to a family with a long line of police officers. With Khakee as a shade of his blood, Kamte was almost pre-destined to serve the nation as a police officer. An accomplished athlete, Kamte had even represented India at the junior power-lifting championship in Peru, 1978.

Kamte was needed on 26/11

Kamte who was appreciated for dealing with hardened criminals and politicians was also known for his excellent skills in negotiation and crisis management. When the city faced the perilous encroachment, Kamte’s services were required without question and so, he was summoned on 26/11.

The fatal bullet

After a valiant fight, Kamte was finally hit in the head by Ismail Khan’s bullet who fired a volley of shots. It all took place in a narrow lane between Rang Bhavan and Kamte’s Alma mater, St. Xavier’s College, just a couple of minutes from the Crime Branch Office.