How 19 CISF Personnel Shielded Uri from Catastrophe
While the dust has settled on the border conflicts from earlier this year, stories of extraordinary grit are still emerging from the valley. Following India’s decisive "Operation Sindoor" on May 7—which decimated nine terror launchpads across the border—Pakistan attempted a severe retaliation. Their target was not a military base, but critical civilian infrastructure: the Uri Hydro Electric Power Projects (UHEP-I and II) located along the volatile Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla.
However, a potential disaster was averted thanks to the sheer presence of mind and bravery of a small 19-member team from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Holding the Fort Against Drones and Shelling
The situation escalated rapidly after midnight on May 7. Stung by the destruction of their terror camps, Pakistani forces launched a dual assault involving heavy cross-border shelling and a swarm of hostile drones aimed directly at the power plant.
The CISF detachment, led by Commandant Ravi Yadav alongside Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh and Assistant Commandant Subhash Kumar, was already on high alert. Reacting instantly to the threat, the team cut the lights to the facility to reduce visibility for the enemy.
According to reports, the team successfully jammed and shot down enemy drones attempting to breach the main entrance of the Uri II project. While sister agencies handled larger aerial threats, the CISF ensured that not a single drone could inflict damage on the vital power plant infrastructure.
Saving 250 Lives Under Fire
The mission went beyond just protecting machinery. As Pakistani shells began pounding nearby residential areas, the lives of civilians and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) staff hung in the balance.
Disregarding their own safety, the CISF personnel launched a daring rescue operation. ASI Gurjeet Singh, one of the heroes of the night, recounted that the biggest challenge was waking up families who were sleeping, unaware of the raining death outside. Using POLNET satellite communication to stay coordinated, the team went door-to-door, evacuating 250 people and moving them safely into reinforced bunkers.
Recognition of Valour
Because of their swift action, there were zero casualties during the heavy bombardment. In recognition of their "exemplary" courage in shielding national assets and saving hundreds of lives, the 19 personnel have been awarded the prestigious Director General's disc.
This heroic defense brings back memories of the 2016 terror strike in Uri, but this time, the narrative was different: the defenders emerged victorious, ensuring total safety for the people and the plant.
