October 21, 2025 marks the 66th Police Commemoration Day observed annually across India to honour police personnel who laid down their lives in service. The date commemorates the tragic Hot Springs Ambush of October 21, 1959, in which Chinese PLA troops ambushed a patrol of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Ladakh's Hot Springs area — killing 10 personnel and capturing several others. It was one of the earliest violent Chinese transgressions along the LAC. The Rajasthan Police also observed the day with state-level ceremonies. The event is significant in the context of India's ongoing border management challenges with China along the LAC and the continuing role of paramilitary forces in border security.
Police Commemoration Day 2025: India Honours Martyrs of the 1959 Hot Springs Ambush in Ladakh
AQuick answer
October 21, 2025 marks the 66th Police Commemoration Day observed annually across India to honour police personnel who laid down their lives in service. The date commemorates the tragic Hot Springs Ambush of October 21, 1959, in which Chinese PLA troops ambushed a patrol of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Ladakh's Hot Springs area — killing 10 personnel and capturing several others. It was one of the earliest violent Chinese transgressions along the LAC. The Rajasthan Police also observed the day with state-level ceremonies. The event is significant in the context of India's ongoing border management challenges with China along the LAC and the continuing role of paramilitary forces in border security.
Key facts
- October 21, 2025 marked the 66th Police Commemoration Day observed to honour fallen police personnel.
- The day commemorates the 1959 Hot Springs Ambush in Ladakh where Chinese PLA killed 10 CRPF personnel.
- The Hot Springs Ambush was one of the earliest violent Chinese transgressions along the LAC.
- Rajasthan Police also observed the day with state-level ceremonies.
- Police Commemoration Day highlights the role of paramilitary forces in India's border security.
- The event is significant in the context of ongoing India-China border management challenges along the LAC.
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CoverageNationalSubjectNationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · PrelimsSourceWinCalendar / PIB
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Police Commemoration Day, observed on October 21, 2025 as the 66th edition, commemorates the Hot Springs Ambush of 1959 in which region?
Explanation · Correct answer C
Police Commemoration Day commemorates the October 21, 1959 Chinese PLA ambush of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrol at Hot Springs in Ladakh, in which 10 personnel were killed.
Source: WinCalendar / PIB
Frequently asked questions
When is Police Commemoration Day observed in India and what event does it mark?
Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21. It marks the 1959 Hot Springs Ambush in Ladakh, where Chinese PLA troops ambushed a patrol of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), killing 10 personnel. The day honours all police and paramilitary personnel who have laid down their lives in service.
What happened at Hot Springs, Ladakh on October 21, 1959 and why is it significant for India-China border history?
On October 21, 1959, Chinese PLA soldiers ambushed a CRPF patrol in the Hot Springs area of Ladakh, killing 10 personnel and capturing several others. This was one of the earliest violent Chinese transgressions along what later became the Line of Actual Control (LAC), preceding the full-scale 1962 Sino-Indian War by three years.
Which edition of Police Commemoration Day was observed in 2025 and which paramilitary force's personnel were first martyred?
October 21, 2025 marked the 66th Police Commemoration Day. The martyred personnel in the 1959 Hot Springs Ambush belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which is India's largest central paramilitary force deployed primarily for internal security and counter-insurgency operations.
What is the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and how does the 1959 Hot Springs incident relate to it?
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto boundary between India and China spanning approximately 3,488 km across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The 1959 Hot Springs Ambush was among the earliest Chinese military intrusions into Indian-patrolled territory, marking the beginning of violent border tensions that culminated in the 1962 war.
How does Rajasthan Police observe Police Commemoration Day and what is its relevance for RPSC exams?
The Rajasthan Police observes Police Commemoration Day with state-level ceremonies, roll calls, and memorial parades honouring officers who died in the line of duty. For RPSC exams, this event is relevant to topics on India's internal security forces, border management challenges, and the role of paramilitary forces like CRPF in national security.
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