Earlier, director general of police Al Banerjee said that last year 126 policemen in the State had laid down their lives while serving for the country. Chief Secretary, Alok Ranjan was also present along with other senior officials of home and police departments. The history of commemoration day traces back to October 21, 1959, when a patrol party of CRPF, led by sub-inspector Karan Singh, was ambushed by the Chinese forces at Hot Springs ladakh and 10 jawans were killed. The bravery and resultant sacrifice of jawans fighting at 16,000 ft altitude, in extremely cold conditions and against all odds, is an epitome of rarest of the rare courage. On October 21 every year, the commemoration parade is held as a mark of respect to police martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The arms are reversed and a two-minute silence is observed in the honour of the departed souls.