Sharma knew exactly what he was doing: Cell chief

Upset over the death of his Special Cell8217;s best man, Joint Commissioner of Police Karnal Singh could not check his emotions when a mediaperson asked him on Saturday why Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma was not wearing a bulletproof jacket during the encounter.

Upset over the death of his Special Cell8217;s best man, Joint Commissioner of Police Karnal Singh could not check his emotions when a mediaperson asked him on Saturday why Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma was not wearing a bulletproof jacket during the encounter. Furious, Singh shot back that Sharma was absolutely meticulous with his plan, and that he was 8220;not a novice8221;.

8220;He was an expert in his field and knew what to do in such circumstances,8221; Singh said. 8220;He would not go wearing a bulletproof jacket there as he knew that those hiding in the building might get alerted.8221;

Singh said Sharma had conducted encounters in Kashmir also and knew to the last details each of his operations and what he was getting into. Instead of pointing fingers, Singh said, 8220;we should appreciate the courage he showed 8212; he has showed the way to all of us to fight for our country. We must admit that we will miss him in future.8221;

Initially, before informing the media about the police8217;s breakthroughs in September 13 serial blasts case, Singh expressed sorrow at losing Delhi Police8217;s 8216;best man8217;: 8220;I worked with Mohan Chand for over four years and I had never seen him tired. His analytical work and fieldwork was unparalleled.

8220;We will always miss him.8221;

As far as Friday8217;s encounter is concerned, Singh said the inspector had the input but not specifically of the right address 8212; there was reportedly some confusion about the house in which the alleged militants were holed up.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Karnal Singh, cleared some questions put forth by Newsline.

Ques: How many bullets hit Mohan Chand Sharma yesterday when he was heading an operation?

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Three bullets hit him during operation when was fighting with the terrorists. He knew that he was going for an operation and it was not for the first time he was going to catch a terrorist. He knew that going without bulletproof jackets can alert the terrorists. He decided and planned his visit. We have lost a man who was full of energy, had good analytical abilities and whose field working was unparalleled. He worked hard and got the exact location of the terrorists.

Ques: What help did you get through interception and by checking Call Detail Reports of various cell numbers?

We did our technical analysis very well and it worked well for the case. A lot of numbers were verified. We cannot disclose the details as investigations are going on and terrorists can take advantage of it.

Ques: Have you found any fingerprint reports?

Fingerprint experts are working on those aspects. However, Alok Kumar DCP, Special Cell earlier in the day had told Newsline, 8220;We have not found any fingerprints from bomb sites.8221;

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Ques: How are you tracking the other members who are absconding?

We are working on it. At this moment nothing can be disclosed because a lot of people are at large. 8212;ENS