Police Commemoration Day was observed on Red Road on October 21 in the memory of Indian police personnel killed by Chinese soldiers in 1959. In January 1960, October 21 was officially designated as Police Commemoration Day and has been observed throughout the country since 2012.
On October 21, 1959, a group of Indian policemen led by Shri Karam Singh was attacked by the Chinese Army at Hot Springs in northeastern Ladakh, while searching for a missing reconnaissance party. Ten policemen were killed, seven were taken prisoners, and others had managed to escape.
This Remembrance Day has been observed to commemorate the policemen killed in the line of duty in Ladakh. It was also decided to erect a memorial in Ladakh.
Since 2012, Police Commemoration Day has been observed nationwide. The main parade and wreath-laying ceremony are held at the Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Policemen pay tributes to the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives in the service of society and security of the nation.
