The present disclosure generally relates to a pumping element of a fuel pump for an internal combustion engine wherein the pumping element comprises a pumping chamber and a check valve assembly having a first insert including a passage in flow communication with a fuel outlet, and a second insert being disposed adjacent the pumping chamber, the second insert including a bore in flow communication with a fuel inlet, a plurality of through holes in flow communication with the pumping chamber, and an inlet check valve plunger disposed in the bore for movement between an opened position wherein inlet fuel from the fuel inlet flows past the inlet check valve plunger through the plurality of through holes to the pumping chamber and a closed position wherein outlet fuel from the pumping chamber flows through the plurality of through holes past the inlet check valve plunger to the passage of the first insert.
