He was an unsung hero when I met him. He was also dead.
SO maybe I didn't actually meet him, I met the moment. The moment when India witnessed one of its bravest acts of police bravery. Thankfully, in the time that I read about it, then got indignant and cursed the media for not showing his face on TV, Times of India and Rediff got the same email forward that I did, and decided to put up the news. The gist of the email is as follows:
The untold story of the bravest of them all - Assistant sub-inspector Omble.
TAKING POSITIONS
Assistant sub-inspector Omble was asked by his senior to take up position on Marine Drive on Wednesday night, after the news of firings at Leo-pold Café, Oberoi and Taj Hotels came in.
THE ALERT!
Around 12.45 am, he got an alert on his walkie-talkie that two terrorists had hijacked a Skoda car and were heading for Girgaum Chowpatty.
THE ARRIVAL
Just minutes later, the Skoda whizzed past him.
CHASING THE CULPRIT
Omble jumped on to his two-wheeler and chased the car. A team from DB Marg police station was setting up a police barricade (nakabandi) at the Chowpatty signal.
OPEN FIRE
As the car approached the signal, the terrorists opened fire on the cops, but were forced to reduce speed because of the barricades.
BRAVE ACT
Omble overtook the Skoda and stopped in front of it, forcing the driver of the car to swerve right and hit the divider.
NABBING THE TERRORIST
With the terrorists momentarily distracted, Omble sprang toward one of them, Amir Kasab, and gripped the barrel of the AK47 rifle with both hands
BEARING BULLETS
With the barrel pointing towards Omble, Amir pulled the trigger. A spray of bullets entered his stomach and intestine
THE CALL OF DUTY
Omble collapsed, but held on to the gun till he breathed his last, stopping Amir from shooting anyone else.
GUNNING DOWN
The other cops, who by that time had killed the other terrorist, Ismail, pounced on Amir and captured him.
SOLE INFORMER
The investigation agencies were reported to have gathered a lot of information from the sole terrorist captured.
SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT
There was no way assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Tukaram Omble, 48, could have survived the encounter. But before dying, he ensured that at least one of the 26/11 terrorists was caught alive.
MANY DEAD, ONE CAUGHT
Brave hearts like Omble gave India its honour back. It's because of them that the nation stands taller and prouder.
There's something the mail didn't have, and Rediff did; that was his picture.
Hope you get better media coverage in Heaven, Mr. Omble. RIP.
