Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Armed Police Force (APF) celebrated its 24th anniversary by organizing 24th Armed Police Force Day at the APF Nepal Headquarters in Halchok, Swayambhu, on Wednesday.
During the ceremony, Chief Guest, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak, laid a wreath at the APF Memorial and paid tribute to fallen APF personnel.
Minister Lekhak presented the ‘APF Lifetime Achievement Award’ to retired Deputy Inspector General Navraj Bishta. Similarly, the ‘Outstanding Battalion Award’ was presented to Deputy Inspector General Ganesh Bahadur Thada Magar, commander of APF Nepal No. 3 Gadhimai Battalion Headquarters in Makwanpur. DIG Thada Magar had previously led No. 2 Chinnamasta Battalion Headquarters in Mahottari to excellence in 2021.
On the occsaion, Minister Lekhak also launched the ‘Armed Police Force Yearbook 2081 BS’, which documents the activities and achievements of the paramilitary force.
During the ceremony, Minister Lekhak conveyed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s congratulatory message for the APF’s 24th anniversary. He praised the APF’s contributions to national peace, counter-terrorism, border security, disaster management and social service. Lekhak also commended APF personnel for their dedication and sacrifices in fulfilling their duties under challenging circumstances.
Lekhak emphasized the APF’s crucial role in border security and preventing illegal activities. He also praised the APF’s efforts in controlling revenue leakage and smuggling. “The home ministry is working to expand the organization by increasing personnel and establishing additional border outposts,” he added. He also said the ministry has positively taken APF’s proposal to start firefighting school and the concept of disaster volunteers.
Speaking on the occasion, Inspector General of APF, Raju Aryal, said the force is committed to operate with dedication to service, strictly adhering to the policies, programs, orders, and directives of the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Home Affairs while maintaining close coordination with other security agencies and efficiently fulfilling state-mandated responsibilities.
While maintaining close coordination with other security agencies and efficiently fulfilling state-mandated responsibilities, all ranks are operating with dedication to service, strictly adhering to the policies, programs, orders, and directives of the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Additionally, appreciation was expressed for the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood demonstrated by other security agencies in security coordination efforts. He also handed a check for Rs 5.1 million to Minister Lekhak as the force’s contribution to the Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund.
APF Nepal was established on October 24, 2001.
