IPS Officer Who Led Pahalgam Attack Probe Awarded Home Minister’s Medal

By Political Bureau

New Delhi | Updated: October 31, 2026

NEW DELHI: In recognition of exemplary investigative grit and professional excellence, senior IPS officer Sandeep Chaudhary has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ for 2026. The 2012-batch officer earned national acclaim for successfully heading the high-stakes investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the medals on October 31, coinciding with the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A total of 490 personnel from various States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) have been selected for the honor this year.

Promoting High Professional Standards

According to an official notification released by the MHA, the prestigious decoration is designed to acknowledge exceptional service, encourage high professional benchmarks, and boost the morale of law enforcement and security personnel across the country.

Instituted via a formal notification on February 1, 2024, the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is awarded to personnel drawn from police forces, security agencies, intelligence wings, CAPFs, CPOs, the National Security Guard (NSG), Assam Rifles, and forensic science departments. The recognition spans several rigorous categories, including excellence in operations, outstanding investigation, exceptional performance, intelligence services, and meritorious work in forensic science.

Sandeep Chaudhary’s leadership in untangling the complex threads of the Pahalgam terror probe has been widely lauded within security circles, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s sharpest investigative minds.