Patna Jan 26 (IANS) The Bihar government Monday awarded Police Medal to Indian Police Service officer Vinay Kumar for his gallantry in arresting Yasin Bhatkal, chief of the banned Indian Mujahideen, in 2013, an official said.

"Threat perception was very high to arrest Bhatkal. But it was a secret operation with challenge and risk," Vinay Kumar said here after being awarded on the occasion of the Republic Day.

He is posted as commandant of Bihar Military Police(BMP).

The state government has also honoured three sub-inspectors who were part of the operation to arrest Bhatkal for their gallantry.

Bhatkal was arrested from the India-Nepal border in a secret operation by Bihar Police on the basis of crucial intelligence inputs provided by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials.

Kumar then, as East Champaran district superintendent of police, had played main role to arrest Bhatkal.

According to police officials, the entire operation to arrest Bhatkal was kept a close secret till the last moment.

"A few selected police officers were aware of the special operation to arrest Bhatkal," the officer said.