Azharuddin Khan a brave cop disguised as reporter to overpower gun-wielding man in Bengal school
It was a normal Wednesday afternoon at the Muchiya Chandramohan High School in West Bengal’s Malda until a gun-wielding man barged into a packed classroom where Class 8 students were seated. Holding a gun and shouting at the students, the man allegedly threatened to kill them and the class teacher.
Both teachers as well as school children were gripped with fear as the man, identified as Dev Ballav, held the pistol in one hand and read a newspaper with another.
The school administration wasted no time on informing the police about the incident. As soon as the police received information, a huge force, led by Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar Yadav, rushed to the school.
Although the gun-wielding man was alone, it was not an easy operation for the police force since he threatened to fire if he saw anyone in a police uniform around him.
Given the precarious situation, an idea struck deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Azharuddin Khan, a resident of Kolkata currently posted in Malda district. He took off his police uniform and borrowed clothes from a civilian who was in the school premises.
Sources told India Today that Azharuddin wore a t-shirt and a chappal and entered the classroom posing as a reporter. He started asking Ballav questions, which was also being recorded on his mobile.
Police said Ballav fell for the trick and started interacting with the cop. While Azharuddin kept the conversation going, he overpowered Ballav and pinned him to the ground with the help of another sub-inspector.
Police took Ballav into their custody and seized his weapon.
Since the incident, the parents have been heaping praise on the brave cop for risking his life to save their kids. While speaking to India Today, Azharuddin said, “My first and only priority was to rescue all those children safely. I would not have been able to forgive myself if any mother lost her child today.”
