New Delhi

Countering the Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and the Left wing extremists in States like Chattisgarh continues to pose major challenge to the Army and the Police forces while defending the nation against enemies as was seen at the Gallantry Awards investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening.  

Six Army personnel were conferred with Kirti Charkas, the second peacetime gallantry award of India for operations against terrorists inside J&K and on the Line of Control. Three of them laid down their lives while on duty and were awarded posthumously.

Those awarded KC posthumously included a Kashmiri armyman Havildar Abdul Majid, 9th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). He had in November 2023 during a search operation in the forest areas of the Rajouri district exhibited exceptional courage and selflessness, evacuated a wounded officer and killed a terrorist.

Four personnel of the CRPF’s who laid down their lives while fighting the well-armed left wing militants in the state of Chatiisgarh, were also awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously.

It is for first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir Police that the forces has been conferred with five Shaurya Chakras, the third highest peacetime gallantry award for courage and bravery while serving the nation.

The awardees include Selection grade Constable Saif Ullah Qadri, who died in a terrorist attack in 2022. laid down his life. He had displayed indoimitable gallantry beyond the call of duty and eliminated two terrorists.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Selection Grade Constable Safiullah Qadri, Jammu & Kashmir Police, posthumously. In April 2022, he showed indomitable gallantry beyond the call of duty and eliminated two terrorists. In another incident, the officer fell prey… pic.twitter.com/e422oisOgS

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 5, 2024

The others are: DySP (now SP) Mohan Lal, Sub inspectors Amit Raina, and Feroz Ahmed, and Cadet Varun Singh.

President also conferred Shaurya Chakra on Village defence Committee ( renamed as Village Defence Guards) member Parshotam Kumar of Rajouri. Parshotam Kumar, a farmer had “displayed astute patriotism and inspirational acts of gallantry under fire when he tailed the terrorists and maintained contact till security forces closed in. His brave act led to the killing of one terrorist.”

VDGs are self defence committee set up by the J&K government as a first line of defence against terrorists in Jammu division of J&K.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Shri Parshotam Kumar, a farmer and member of Village Defence Committee. He displayed astute patriotism and inspirational acts of gallantry under fire when he tailed the terrorists and maintained contact till security forces… pic.twitter.com/Grq5O5KNDy

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 5, 2024

Appreciating the courage and bravery of these gallant officers Police chief R.R. Swain congratulated them and their families.

Swain said that these brave officers and officials have brought honour and glory to the JKP parivar with their dedication.

It was a poignant scene for those present on the occasion to see the family members including young wives, receive gallantry awards for the valiant men in their lives who laid down their lives for the nation.

The list included parents of  Major Mustafa Bohara, 252 Army Aviation Squadron who in October 2022, made supreme sacrifice for the nation and displayed extraordinary courage and flying skills by steering the helicopter which caught fire.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Major Mustafa Bohara, 252 Army Aviation Squadron, posthumously. In October 2022, he made supreme sacrifice for the nation and displayed extraordinary courage and flying skills by steering the helicopter which caught fire,… pic.twitter.com/RY9BfN8vc1

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 5, 2024

In all President Droupadi Murmu conferred 10 Kirti Chakras and 23 Shaurya Chakras on the men who found the enemies of nation.

The following is the list of awardees:

All the Awardees with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi

Kirti Chakra (posthumous): Captain Anshuman Singh, havildar Abdul Majid (all from Indian Army) and Sepoy Pawan Kumar, Cont Sambhu Roy, Constable Bably Rabha, Head constable Raj Kumar Yadava and Inspector Dilip Kumar Dass ) CoBRA Unit of CRPF)

Kirti Chakra (non-posthumous): Major Deependra Vikram Basnet, Major Digvijay Singh rawat, Havildar Pawan Kumar Yadav,

Shaurya Chakra Capt MV Pranjal, Rifleman Alok Rao (both Posthumous)

Major Maneo Francis PF, Maj Aamdeep Jakhar, Capt Akshat Upadhyay, Subedar Baria Sanjay Kumar Bhamar Sinh, Habildar Sanjay Kumar, Parshotam Kumar (Army Civilian) Lt Bimal Ranjan Behera (Navy), Wg Cdr Shailesh Singh, Ft Lt Hrishikesh Jayan Karuthedath,  Asst Commandant Bibhore Kumar Singh,  (CoBRA), DySP Mohal Lal, ASI Amit Raina, SI Faroz Ahmad Dar, Constable Varun Singh