The cop who posed as a journalist and overpowered the gunman at the Malda school on Wednesday has become the new poster boy of the state police force.

Azharuddin Khan, the deputy superintendent of police (discipline & training) in Malda, who hails from Park Circus in Calcutta, had acted creatively under pressure on Wednesday.

He replaced his uniform with a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, walked up to the school and engaged in conversation as a "journalist" with Dev Ballav, who had entered a classroom that had 71 students with guns and petrol.

At a key moment, Khan lunged towards Dev, pinned him down and held the latter's hand holding the gun upwards so that even if a bullet was fired, it would not hit anyone. In a flash, Khan's colleagues had also rushed forward to hold Dev.

Gunman Dev Ballav being escorted by a policeman in Malda on Thursday

“I could not stop myself from taking the risk and jumped on the gunman as 71 innocent children were holding their breath in fear. Once I grabbed the person’s hand, I was confident that we could overpower him. Thanks to all other colleagues of mine who rushed in,” said Khan on Thursday.

This is not the first time that Khan risked his life in the line of fire.

“Some years back, he was posted as DSP (crime) in Alipurduar. At that time, he had arrested a dreaded criminal in plainclothes in a most daring manner,” recounted a police officer.

The 37-year-old Khan, who is a graduate in physiology from Calcutta University, had worked as a marketing professional for four years before becoming a police officer.

His father is an electrical contractor and his mother is a homemaker.

His elder brother, who is an engineer, inspired Khan to sit for state civil service examinations, he said. Khan studied "diligently" and cleared the WBPS in 2013. He joined the service the next year.

Before his present posting in Malda, Khan had served as the DSP and the SDPO in various districts in north Bengal.

After Wednesday's feat, a number of senior IPS officers, under whom Khan has worked, praised him.

“He is a very good officer. He had worked during his probation under me,” said Avvaru Rabindranath, the DIG (Security), West Bengal.

Alok Rajoria, the commissioner of Police of Barrackpore, said Khan was a "mature" officer.

“His act (on Wednesday) clearly shows how well he assesses a situation. We have worked together and I have found him to be very mature in taking decisions,” said Rajoria.

Amitabha Maiti, the SS, IB (north Bengal), praised Khan as a diligent and honest officer.

Asked to comment on the praises, the DSP smiled and said he was extremely grateful. "I must say that I have learned several things from them (his seniors). But I have just done my duty and I am grateful that they have praised me," he said.

What pleases him the most, however, is when youths approach him for advice and free training and then succeed in getting a job in the state police service.

“Recently, two youths had cleared the WBPS exam. They had come to me for suggestions ahead of the exam and I helped them. Some civic volunteers also cleared the interview for police constables. I had helped them with whatever knowledge I had and given them a few tips. Their successes make me happy. I want more promising youths to join the police force,” the police officer added.