Winner of seven gallantry medals, Delhi Police Special Cell officer Mohan Chand Sharma who was critically injured on Friday in an encounter with Indian Mujahideen militants in New Delhi died after battling for life for nearly eight hours.

Sharma (41), who led Friday's daring encounter at Jamia Nagar where five terrorists linked with the recent serial blasts in the country were holed up, had received three bullet injuries on his abdomen, thighs and right arm.

The inspector, who was bleeding profusely, was rushed to the nearby Holy Family hospital where he was operated upon and later put on life support systems.

After battling with his injuries for nearly eight hours, he was declared dead at 7 pm in the evening.

"We have lost our best man," Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh said.

Sharma, who is survived by his wife and two young children, had won seven gallantry medals including a President's medal in 2008.

He joined Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and was instrumental in the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of another 80 militants, police sources claimed, adding he had killed 40 inter-state gangsters and arrested another 129.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the example set by Sharma was ‘very rare’ to be seen.

"I have asked the Police Commissioner (Y S Dadwal) to do whatever is needed to help the family of this brave officer," Patil said after visiting the hospital.

He said the Home Ministry will offer all support to the officer's family.

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