There are six-day declared as martyrs day in India. Most of which are a result of the supreme sacrifice made by our freedom fighters before the Independence of India. 21st October is special because it is the only martyrs day observed by the police departments throughout India for the supreme sacrifice made by the CRPF or Central Reserve Police Force in the ambush by hostile Chinese Army in 1959. The legacy created by no other armed forces in India. Therefore, Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year, in remembrance of the sacrifices of ten policemen who died in Chinese firing in 1959 that happened at hot springs near Ladakh.
CRPF was responsible for manning the 2500 mile long Indo-China border until 1959. On October 21, Chinese troops threw a grenade at a party of 20 CRPF police personnel. 10 Soldiers died on the spot and & severely injured who were later taken as prisoners of War. It took China 3 long weak to return the 10 martyrs body who were later cremated with full police honour. The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960, decided that in order to commemorate the exceptional act of Valour by the men of CRPF, October 21 will be observed as 'Police Commemoration Day' across the country.
To pay homage to these fallen soldiers, a memorial was erected at Hot Springs near Ladakh and members of Police Forces from different parts of the country trek to Hot Springs to pay homage to the martyrs. Since 2012, the Police Commemoration Day Parade is being held at the National level at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri.