President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 93 personnel from the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, including 11 posthumously, on the eve of the 76th Republic Day. She also approved 58 “Mentioned-in-Despatches” awards for Armed Forces personnel, including four posthumous recognitions.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the gallantry awards include two Kirti Chakras (one posthumous), 14 Shaurya Chakras (three posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 66 Sena Medals (seven posthumous), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and eight Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Among the recipients, 55 Indian Army personnel will be honoured for various operations: 14 for Operation Rakshak (four posthumous), eight for Operation Snow Leopard, six for Operation Hifazat, two for Operation Sahayta, and one each for Operations Rhino, Meghdoot, Gurihajan, Mulkhyama, Reconnaissance, Zokhawthar, and Falcon. Four will receive awards for Operation CAS Evacuation. Additionally, three Air Force personnel will be awarded for Operation Sankalp, and 12 will be honored for miscellaneous operations.
President Murmu has also approved 305 defence decorations for Armed Forces personnel and others, including 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, five Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 10 Yudh Seva Medals, one Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 43 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 15 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), four Bars to Vishisht Seva Medals, and 132 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Major Manjit and Naik Dilwar Khan (posthumous) will receive the Kirti Chakra. Fourteen individuals will be awarded the Shaurya Chakra, including Major Ashish Dahiya, Major Kunal, Major Satender Dhankar, Captain Deepak Singh (posthumous), Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon, Subedar Vikas Tomar, Subedar Mohan Ram, Havildar Rohit Kumar (posthumous), Havildar Prakash Tamang, Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans, Corporal Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabai Essa, Vijayan Kutty G (BRDB, posthumous), Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar (CRPF), and Jeffrey Hmingchullo (CRPF).
Colonel Kh Shem of the Army will receive the Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry). Sixty-six Army personnel have been approved for the Sena Medal, two Navy personnel for the Nao Sena Medal, and eight Air Force personnel for the Vayu Sena Medal.
The President has also approved awards for personnel involved in various operations. Honorees for Operation Rakshak include Maj Veer Vikram Kaswan, Sub Parshotam Kumar, Hav Praveen Kumar Singh, Hav Lankesh, Hav Keshav Singh, Nk Sujith S, Nk Dokkari Rajesh (posthumous), Sep Ajay Kumar Singh (posthumous), and Army Dog Phantom (posthumous), among others.
For Operation Snow Leopard, recipients include Maj Mahale Ankur Vinayak, Sub Puspendra Singh, Sub Binod Singh, Nb Sub Tshering Thendup Bhutia, and Nk Altaf Hussain. Maj Ritesh Sen and Hav Pawandeep Singh are among those recognized for Operation Hifazat.
Other awardees include Maj Himanshu Deopa and Hav Subhash Poudel for Operation Sahayta, Maj Amit Mishra for Operation Rhino, Lt Pranoy Roy for Operation Meghdoot, Maj Anirban Kalita for Operation Reconnaissance, and Squadron Leader Loverpreet Singh for Operation Sankalp.
The Ministry emphasized that these awards honor the bravery and devotion to duty of personnel who have contributed to maintaining the nation’s security.
(With agency inputs)
