The President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu has approved two Kirti Chakras, one of them posthumous, and 14 Shaurya Chakras, three of them posthumous, in a total of 93 Gallantry Awards to personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 11 of which are posthumous, on the eve of 76th Republic Day.
The 93 Gallantry Awards also include 67 Sena Medals, with seven of them awarded posthumously, two Nao Sena Medals, and eight Vayu Sena Medals.
Major Manjit Kumar of the Punjab Regiment and with 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and Naik Dilwar Khan from the Artillery Regiment and with 28 RR (posthumously) were awarded the Kirti Chakra for counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The President has also approved 305 defence decorations to the Armed Forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals; five Uttam Yudh Seva Medals; 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals; 10 Yudh Seva Medals; 44 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); 15 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); and 136 Vishisht Seva Medals.
President Murmu also approved 58 Mentioned-in-Despatches to Armed Forces personnel, including four awarded posthumously. These include 55 from the Indian Army — 14 for Operation Rakshak, including four posthumous awards; eight for Operation Snow Leopard; six for Operation Hifazat; two for Operation Sahayta; one for Operation Rhino; one for Operation Meghdoot; two for Operation Gurihajan; one for Operation Mulkhyama; one for Operation Reconnaissance; one for Operation Zokhawthar; one for Operation Falcon; four for Operation CAS Evacuation; one for IS Duty; and 12 for miscellaneous operations. The 58 Mentioned-in-Despatches include three to Indian Air Force personnel for Operation Sankalp.
In addition, the President also approved the President’s Tatrakshak Medal and Tatrakshak Medal to eight Coast Guard personnel.
The citation of Major Manjit details that on April 25, 2024, he assiduously trailed the movement of two foreign terrorists in a village in Sopore district through responsive human intelligence as received from a credible source. On localising the probable target complex, the officer established the initial cordon, during which terrorists retaliated and made several attempts to break the cordon throughout the intervening night. On April 26, 2024 at 5.30 a.m., one of the terrorists entered the adjoining orchard favouring natural cover. The officer pinned down the terrorist, and evacuated a trapped civilian and two children. Major Manjit started crawling towards the terrorist and on noticing the movement of the terrorist who was trying to lob a grenade at the scout, the Major engaged him in a fierce firefight and eliminated him, the citation states, adding, “For displaying conspicuous gallantry and exhibiting outstanding leadership Major Manjit is recommended for the award of Kirti Chakra.”
The other citation of Kirti Chakra, for Naik Dilwar Khan, states that he was part of an ambush in the dense jungles of Lolab Valley, Kupwara district on July 23, 2024. At 11.50 p.m., his party observed two terrorists, one at a very close distance. “Sensing grave threat from the closing-in terrorist to his team, showing complete disregard to personal safety, Naik Dilwar Khan, though under a heavy volume of fire, lunged and grasped the terrorist, engaging him in hand-to-hand combat, while the other terrorist continued to fire indiscriminately from distance,” the citation states. During this action, Naik Khan was grievously injured but did not let go of the terrorist and killed him, firing at point-blank range before succumbing to his wounds. For displaying indomitable courage, utter disregard for personal safety and gallantry of the highest order, Naik Dilwar Khan is recommended for award of Kirti Chakra (Posthumous), the citation said. Source: The Hindu