4 Kirti Chakras, 18 Shaurya Chakras in I-Day honours list
New Delhi, August 14
President Droupadi Murmu has approved 103 gallantry awards to personnel of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day. These include four Kirti Chakras (three posthumous) and 18 Shaurya Chakras (four posthumous).
The Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra are the second and third highest peace-time gallantry awards, respectively. Also the President approved one Bar to Sena Medal for Gallantry. The ‘bar’ denotes the same official is getting the same award for second time.
The President also okayed 63 Sena Medals for Gallantry, including two posthumous; 11 Nao Sena Medals for Gallantry; and six Vayu Sena Medals for Gallantry. The President has also approved 39 Mention-in-Despatches, including to Army dog Kent, posthumous, for their significant contributions in different military operations. Kent sniffed out a terrorist hideout and was killed in the operation, but saved the life of his handler. The six-year-old female labrador took part in nine operations during its life time.
The awards announced today include, among other operations, Operation Snow Leopard along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Among those decorated for gallantry are Navy men who carried out mid-sea rescue during anti-piracy operations. Also, an Indian Air Force team that undertook daring rescue operations during the 2023 floods in Himachal Pradesh have been awarded.
The Kirti Chakra has been awarded to Col Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, Major MR Gopal Naidu, Rifleman Ravi Kumar and J&K Police DSP Himayun Muzzammil Bhat. All four Kirti Chakra have been awarded for anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shaurya Chakra awardees are Col Pawan Singh, 666 Army Aviation Squadron; Major CVS Nikhil, 21st Para, SF Regiment; Major Aashish Dhonchak, Sikh Light Infantry; Major Tripatpreet Singh, Army Service Corps; Major Sahil Randhawa, Artillery; Subedar Sanjeev Singh Jasrotia, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles; Naib Subedar Pabin Singha, Artillery; Sepoy Pardeep Singh, Sikh Light Infantry; Special Police Officer Abdul Latif, J&K Police; Captain Sharad Sinsunwal, Commanding Officer, INS Kolkatta; Lt Commander Kapil Yadav, INS Visakhapatnam; Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane, IAF pilot; Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, IAF pilot; Pawan Kumar, Constable, CRPF; Devan C, Constable, CRPF; Lakhveer, Deputy Commandant, CRPF; Rajesh Panchal, Assistant Commandant, CRPF; and Malkiat Singh Constable, CRPF. — TNS
