Hemant Karkare

In late 2008, under Karkare’s ATS leadership, 11 suspects including a retired army major and a serving lieutenant colonel were arrested in the Malegaon blast case, sparking political outrage.

Karkare was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra in 2009, a decoration usually reserved for wartime bravery, highlighting the intensity of his sacrifice during peacetime terror attacks.

In 2008, Karkare’s ATS uncovered audio-video evidence linking terror activities to influential military officers and businessmen, a Pandora’s box that some argue led to attempts to silence him.

Karkare's tenure reshaped Maharashtra's counter-terrorism focus, with his ATS unit exposing complex terror networks including alleged Hindu extremist links. His death during the 26/11 attacks became a symbol of sacrifice in Indian law enforcement, influencing tighter security protocols and greater national awareness of internal terror threats. The political controversies surrounding his investigations continue to fuel debates on terrorism and justice in India.