‘Unparalleled courage’: When head constable Aashiq Ali saved Shiv bhakt Monu Singh

This was just one of the rescues Ali and his team executed on Tuesday.

“Every year, on average, we save 40-50 kanwariyas here… We have around 500 meters to cover with just six jawans, but we try our best,” Ali told The Indian Express.

Ali highlighted the challenge of saving someone in a fast-flowing stream, as the person often panics and restricts the rescuer’s movements. “We have received special training for this, with regular courses. The experience we have gained over the years also helps… I have saved over 100 kanwariyas from drowning since my deployment,” he said.

Ali joined the Uttarakhand Police in 2012 as a constable and joined the SDRF in 2014. Since 2021, he has been posted at this ghat during every kanwar yatra.

दिल्ली निवासी शिवभक्त हरिद्वार स्थित कांगड़ा घाट पर नहाने के दौरान गंगा के तेज बहाव में बहने लगा। जिस पर #UttarakhandPolice SDRF जवान HC आशिक अली ने गंगा में छलांग लगा कर युवक को सुरक्षित बाहर निकाला और जान बचायी। #KanwarYatra2024 @uksdrf pic.twitter.com/4jUs9aIGW4

— Uttarakhand Police (@uttarakhandcops) July 23, 2024

In a statement, the SDRF said, “During the kanwar yatra at Kangra Ghat, 21-year-old Monu Singh was swept away by the strong current while taking a bath, putting him in a perilous situation. Head constable Aashiq Ali, displaying unparalleled courage, immediately jumped into the river. Braving the fast-flowing water, Ali managed to bring Monu Singh safely to shore, disregarding his own safety. This selfless and courageous act by Ali has given a new life to a Shiv Bhakt.

Later in the day, another 21-year-old, Sandeep Yadav from Gorakhpur, was rescued by Ali and constable Shivam Singh.

Talking to The Indian Express, Yadav said, “I have been going on the yatra for the last five years, but this happened for the first time. Before I jumped into the river, police and SDRF personnel tried to stop me but I couldn’t hear them. I had almost crossed the stream when the depth suddenly increased and I could not swim anymore. I waved my hands, pleading for someone to save me, and saw two people swimming towards me.

“They saved me. I feel like I have gone through a rebirth. I can never thank them enough. The Muslim head constable who saved me – he is my brother from this day,” said Yadav.

During the course of the day, the SDRF team, including Ali, saved several others – 21-year-old Govind Singh from Rudrapur Kheda, Uttarakhand; 17-year-old Karan from Sadar Tikona Park, Delhi; Ankit, a 15-year-old from Panipat, Haryana; and Arun Rathore, a 32-year-old from Jalalpur, Muzaffarnagar.