Khursheed Ahmad, a head constable in CRPF who could barely move when The Quint interviewed him in August 2016, is now miraculously able to walk. His prognosis had been bad, as he had been hit with 8 bullets in a militant attack in Pampore, Kashmir. But Khursheed Ahmad has beaten a spinal injury and come out of it with a fighter’s spirit.
The Crippling Attack
On 25 June 2016, Ahmad and other CRPF jawans were returning after shooting practice in Lethpura when 4 militants suddenly opened fire on them. Eight CRPF jawans died and 22 were injured in this militant ambush.
The Quint Bats For The Injured Jawan
Since then, it has been a long and arduous journey for Ahmad.
The Quint first reported the story of this braveheart 41-year-old CRPF jawan in August 2016. He had then been admitted for over two months in the AIIMS trauma centre in Delhi. In his first ever interview published on 26 August, Khursheed complained of a lack of medical facilities given to him in India’s biggest government hospital. After our report, the CRPF authorities stepped in. On 30 August, Khursheed was shifted to a CRPF hospital.
Kudos to Khursheed’s Resolve and Willpower
Khursheed’s recovery gained momentum while he was in the CRPF hospital in Delhi. His wife and brother Sarfaraz were allowed to attend to him. Senior officers would visit him and the CRPF’s doctors personally monitored his medical condition. The comfort of the air-conditioned room and his family there to turn him over allowed his bed-sores to heal. In February 2017, Khursheed was encouraged by his brother and wife to stand up with the help of a walker while they supported him. At one such moment, eight months after the injury that crippled him, Khursheed developed the confidence to attempt walking.
It was 28 February. My brother and wife stood on either side, supporting my shoulders. I told both of them to step aside and I held on to the walker and took a slow step forward. And another, and then another. That’s when my brother said I am sure to walk without support soon.Khursheed Ahmad, Head Constable, CRPF
Raring to Return to Duty
Khursheed is recuperating in his home in Kashmir now. Watched over by his family, he attempts to walk a little farther and longer each day. His wife and brother Sarfaraz support him all the way. Khursheed hopes to get fitter and return to field duty in the CRPF soon.
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