President Confers six Kirti Chakras and Twenty Shaurya Chakras for Gallantry
President,
Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred six Kirti Chakras and twenty Shaurya Chakras
to serving and retired armed forces personnel and civilians for displaying conspicuous
gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty, at a solemn ceremony
in Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi today.
KIRTI
CHAKRA
SHRI
DAYANAND PANDEY, FAIZABAD
UTTAR
PRADESH (POSTHUMOUS)
On
01 August 2005 at 1030 hours, Shri Dayanand
Pandey, Postal Assistant was on duty at Baskhari Sub Post Office, Faizabad when
these armed robbers barged into the Post Office with the intention of looting
government money. At that moment, cash
worth Rs. 3,38,400/- was available in the Post Office.
The robbers fired at Shri Pandey injuring him.
Unmindful of his injuries, Shri Pandey resisted the looters valiantly as
a result of which the robbers were forced to flee.
Shri
Dayanand Pandey displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty in fighting with
the robbers and laid down his life while saving government money.
MOHD.
SHAN AHMED, JHANSI
UTTAR
PRADESH (POSTHUMOUS)
On 26 December 2005, Mohd. Shan Ahmed, the Cash
Overseer at Head Post Office, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, was entrusted
the responsibility to deposit Rs. 16,02,000/- at the nearby State Bank of India branch. When the auto rickshaw,
in which he was travelling alongwth other postal personnel, was close to the bank,
it was attacked by some armed miscreants and the driver was shot by a bullet.
While the accompanying persons fled from the spot, Shri Ahmed fought valiantly
to save the government money until he was shot in the chest.
Mohd. Shan Ahmed displayed conspicuous gallantry, rare
courage and exemplary devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice in fighting
armed miscreants.
SHRI
TARUN KUMAR DUTTA
ASSAM (POSTHUMOUS)
Shri Tarun Kumar Dutta led a series of operations against
the drug cartels in difficult jungles, mountain terrains and insurgent infested
areas in the Shillong region fearlessly with the objective of eradicating the
scourge of drug smuggling in the area. As a result of his relentless operations against
them, he became the target of the mafia and was ruthlessly killed on 12 September, 2006
Shri Tarun Kumar Dutta showed exemplary devotion to
duty and courage of the highest order and sacrificed his life in the service of
the nation.
NAIK RADHAKRISHNAN C
10 MADRAS REGIMENT (POSTHUMOUS)
On 18 October, 2006 at 0700
hours, Naik Radhakrishnan C who was the commander of a search team deployed in
district Kupwara of Jammu & Kashmir, detected suspicious movement of terrorists.
He immediately jumped over bushes in order to maintain contact with the
terrorists. In the ensuing close firefight, he killed one
terrorist. However, in the process he got
wounded grievously. The other terrorists made a desperate attempt to break contact
by firing indiscriminately and hurling grenades at him. Despite the heavy exchange of fire and severity
of his injuries Naik Radhakrishnan crawled forward and lobbed grenades at the
terrorists killing the other two terrorists.
Naik Radhakrishnan C displayed conspicuous gallantry, unflinching
grit and raw courage in fighting the terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice.
MAJOR
SUBHASH CHAND PUNIA
21
PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES)
Major Subhash Chand Punia was
in command of an Assault Troop along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur. On 01
May 2007, the presence of 09-10 terrorists in a village was confirmed, when the
assault group under Major Punia advanced to clear the village, it came under heavy
fire from the terrorists hiding in trenches. Undaunted Major Punia moved forward
and shot dead two terrorists at close quarters. The third terrorist who was hiding
behind a house then opened fire on his squad. In a daring move, he and his buddy
while exposing themselves to terrorist fire killed one more terrorist and injured
another.
Major Subhash Chand Punia displayed conspicuous valor,
raw courage and exceptional close quarter combat skills while fighting the terrorists.
CAPTAIN ABHINAV HANDA
9, MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY
On 30 July 2007, based on information about infiltration of terrorists
from across the line of control in Uri Sector of Jammu & Kashmir, Captain
Abhinav Handa moved swiftly to the site with the Ghatak team to flush out the
terrorists. The next day, after the Commanding Officer fell to terrorist bullets,
Captain Handa exhibited exceptional leadership qualities, to take charge of the
operation. The terrorists from inside the rocky cave, brought down effective fire
on the troops. Displaying presence of mind Captain Handa closed in on the terrorist
position and after a fierce firefight, eliminated one foreign terrorist.
Captain
Abhinav Handa displayed outstanding leadership and indomitable courage while leading
the operation against the terrorists from the front.
SHAURYA CHAKRA
SERGEANT JAI PRAKASH SHUKLA
CLERK GENERAL DUTIES(POSTHUMOUS)
Sergeant
Jai Prakash Shukla was posted at Air Force Station, Utarlai in Barmer District.
On 23 August 2006, following flash floods in the area due to incessant rains,
Sgt Shukla along with other Air warriors of the unit proceeded to the surrounding
villages for rescue operations. In the course of the operations, the Air warriors
noticed four persons perched on tree tops and struggling for their lives. Sgt
Shukla in the true tradition of a soldier readily volunteered to rescue these
persons. However, after swimming for about 100 meters, against the strong current
in 20 feet deep flood waters, he got sucked down in the swirling water and could
not extricate himself.
Sergeant
Jai Prakash Shukla displayed extraordinary courage and valour in adverse circumstances,
and made the supreme sacrifice while trying to save the lives of fellow citizens.
CAPTAIN SUNIL YADAV
CORPS
OF SIGNALS/26 RASHTRIYA RIFLES
On 18 September
2006, an operational column under Captain Sunil Yadav was launched to search and
destroy terrorists hiding in a maize field in a village in district Doda of Jammu
& Kashmir. The terrorists finding themselves besieged started firing indiscriminately
and ran out of the maize field. Captain Sunil Yadav showing exceptional initiative
readjusted his position and brought down heavy fire killing two terrorists. Captain
Sunil Yadav chased a third terrorist and shot him dead.
Captain
Sunil Yadav displayed conspicuous bravery, raw courage and personal valour of
an exceptional order in fighting the terrorists.
SEPOY
RAHUL
4 BIHAR REGIMENT (POSTHUMOUS)
Sepoy Rahul
was part of a Ghatak Platoon deployed in an area in district Poonch of Jammu &
Kashmir. At first light on 08 October 2006, Sepoy Rahul observed one terrorist
having taken position 10-15 meters above him. Sensing danger to his entire party,
Sepoy Rahul alongwith his buddy decided to close in with the terrorist. However,
the terrorist spotted their movement and engaged them with heavy fire. Sepoy Rahul
received a burst on his chest. Unmindful of injuries, he kept closing in and finally
shot dead the terrorist. Sepoy Rahul later succumbed to his injuries.
Sepoy Rahul
displayed exemplary courage, unflinching grit and conspicuous bravery in the face
of heavy odds and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
SAPPER SHINDE RAMACHANDRA SHIVAJI
CORPS OF ENGINEERS/44 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS)
On 12 October,
2006, specific information was received about terrorists hiding in a house adjacent
to a school in district Pulwama of Jammu & Kashmir. Sapper Shinde Ramachandra Shivaji was part of
a team that ensured quick evacuation of approximately 1400 trapped school children
to safer location. While evacuating the
last group, terrorists in a bid to escape fired at him. Displaying cool nerves, he managed to push the
group of children out of the line of fire. However,
in the process, he himself got injured. Later the terrorists again fired heavily to
break the cordon. In the ensuing gun battle
Sapper Shinde Ramachandra Shivaji gallantry forged ahead and with precise fire
killed two terrorists. He later succumbed
to his injuries.
Sapper Shinde
Ramachandra Shivaji displayed exemplary courage and conspicuous gallantry of exceptional
order while making the supreme sacrifice in fighting the terrorists
SUBEDAR MANOHAR P
10 MADRAS
REGIMENT
On 18 October 2006 at 0700 hrs in district Kupwara of Jammu
& Kashimr a search party led by Subedar Manohar P spotted five terrorists.
Three terrorists were eliminated in the ensuing firefight. However a soldier was
hit by a gun shot. Unmindful of his personal safety, he crawled to the site against
heavy hostile fire and evacuated him to safety. Later, he reorganised his party
and chased the fleeing terrorists eliminating two more terrorists in fierce encounters.
Subedar Manohar P displayed
exemplary bravery, dynamic leadership and selfless devotion to duty in fighting
the terrorists.
LANCE NAIK JYOTISH PRAKASH
GRENADIERS/39 RASHTRIYA RIFLES(POSTHUMOUS)
Lance Naik Jyotish Prakash was part of the Company Commander's
close group during an operation in a village in district Poonch of Jammu &
Kashmir conducted from 26 to 29 October 2006. During the search Lance Naik Jyotish
Prakash spotted two terrorists trying to hide behind boulders in the nullah. He
immediately closed on to the terrorists and killed the first one on the move.
During the subsequent search Lance Naik Jyotish Prakash spotted another terrorist
very close to the search party. Sensing apparent danger to his comrades, he pounced
on the terrorist against heavy hostile fire and eliminated him at point blank
range. Later he succumbed to his injuries.
Lance Naik
Jyotish Prakash displayed indomitable courage, conspicuous bravery and made the
supreme sacrifice while fighting the terrorists.
COMPANY HAVILDAR MAJOR RAMESH CHANDRA PANDEY MECHANISED
INFANTRY/26 RASHTRIYA RIFLES
On 08 November 2006 an operation was launched under Company
Havildar Major Ramesh Chandra Pandey to destroy terrorists hiding in a house in
a village in district Doda of Jammu & Kashmir. He cordoned the target house
at 1430 hours. The terrorists finding themselves besieged, started firing indiscriminately
and threw grenades. He sustained a splinter injury on right thigh but continued
to close in and shot dead one terrorist at close range. Another terrorist in a
bid to escape came out firing but was also shot dead on the spot by him.
Company Havildar Major Ramesh Chandra Pandey displayed conspicuous
bravery, raw courage and personal valour of an exceptional order in fighting the
terrorists.
MAJOR AMAN OBEROI
ARMOURED
CORPS/22 RASHTRIYA RIFLES
Major Aman Oberoi was the Officer Commanding of a Company
of a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. On 23 December 2006, this officer, based on intelligence
about presence of two terrorists in a village in district Sopore of Jammu &
Kashmir cordoned the target houses with his quick response team. At 1730 hours
while the search was in progress, the terrorists brought down heavy fire on the
troops from inside the house. Undeterred, this officer crawling from one room
to another entered the target room a1nd killed two terrorists at point blank range.
Major Aman
Oberoi displayed indomitable courage and outstanding leadership in fighting, the
terrorists.
MAJOR ANSHUL SHUKLA
JAT REGIMENT /24 ASSAM RIFLES
On 24 December 2006 based on specific information the Ghataks
under Major Anshul Shukla laid an ambush in general area of a village in Manipur.
At approximately 1500 hours two terrorists were observed crossing the International
border. On being challenged the terrorists brought down effective fire on the
ambush party. This officer immediately took command of the situation and in a
daring move ran forward continuously engaging the terrorists and cut off their
escape route.
Major Anshul Shukla displayed
undaunting courage and determination in the face of sustained hostile fire to
prevent the escape of hardcore terrorists.
MAJOR SANJAY KUMAR TANWAR
RAJPUT REGIMENT/58 RASHTRIYA
RIFLES
On 02 January
2007, Major Sanjay Kumar Tanwar was leading a cordon and search operation in general
area in district Udhampur of Jammu & Kashmir. The target dhok was cordoned
on 04 January 2007 by 0400 hours. At 0645 hours one terrorist came out, firing
indiscriminately. Undeterred, this officer chased the fleeing terrorist and shot
him. Consequently, two other terrorists who came out firing were also shot. Then
the officer crawled up to place explosives to blast the side wall and force a
fourth terrorist hiding inside to come out. Displaying rare courage he crawled
to the opening created and fired at the terrorist killing him.
Major Sanjay Kumar Tanwar displayed exceptional gallantry
and leadership in fighting the terrorist.
RIFLEMAN RAIECE AHMAD GANAIE
JAMMU & KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY/50 RASHTRIYA RIFLES
Based on specific information, a cordon and search operation
was launched by a Rashtriya Rifles battalion on 13 February 2007 in a village
in district Pulwama of Jammu & Kashmir. At 1815 hours, suspicious movement
was noticed near the village. The leading scout Rifleman Raiece Ahmad Ganaie challenged
the two terrorists. Immediately, the party came under intense and effective fire
from the terrorists. Intense fire fight ensued. Displaying exceptional courage
he charged at and killed one terrorist instantly. The other terrorist lobbed grenades
and fired at him. Undeterred, he charged at him and killed him at point blank
range.
Rifleman
Raiece Ahmad Ganaie displayed indomitable courage and professional acumen in fighting
the terrorists.
MAJOR SWAPNEESH PARIHAR
REGIMENT
OF ARTILLERY/174 FIELD REGIMENT
On 31 March
2007, based on information about four terrorists hiding in a village in district
Sibsagar of Assam, Major Swapneesh Parihar rushed to the location with his Quick
Reaction Team. This officer laid a quick cordon around the suspect house with
the available strength and personally led the search team. On entering, one of
the terrorists fired on the officer from close range grievously injuring him causing
his personal weapon to fall off. Undaunted, this officer pounced on the terrorist,
snatched his weapon and killed him. Despite being critically wounded, the officer
continued to direct his team till arrival of reinforcements.
Major Swapneesh
Parihar displayed conspicuous bravery and unmatched courage in carrying out the
operation against the terrorists.
LANCE NAIK RAVINDER SINGH MALIK
159 INFANTRY Battalion (TA)(H&H) DOGRA (POSTHUMOUS)
On 01 April
2007, Lance Naik Ravinder Singh Malik was part of a search operation launched
to flush out two terrorists hiding in the general area in district Doda of Jammu
& Kashmir. On reaching the target area, the column came under effective terrorist
fire. Undeterred, he closed in and fired injuring two terrorists. In the process
he sustained gunshot wounds. Undaunted, he tactically further closed in and killed
both of them. Later he succumbed to his injuries.
Lance Naik
Ravinder Singh Malik displayed exemplary courage, unflinching grit and conspicuous
bravery in making the supreme sacrifice while fighting the terrorists.
SQUADRON LEADER SHANTANU BASU
FLYING (PILOT) (POSTHUMOUS)
On 11 April
2007, Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu was detailed for an air logistics support
sortie to Amar helipad, located on the Siachen Glacier, as the leader in a two
aircraft formation. At the final approach, he had to overshoot due to strong winds.
The helicopter experienced a sudden loss of power and height after crossing the
helipad. Sqn Ldr Basu maintained his cool and took emergency measures with a high
degree of professionalism. When the actions of the pilot failed to prevent the
aircraft from losing height, he took the courageous decision of attempting an
emergency landing near the Actual Ground Position Line. However, due to the absence
of a suitable emergency landing field the helicopter crashed, giving no chance
of survival to the crew.
Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu displayed exceptional courage
and gallantry in dangerous circumstances.
NAIK RAJAN SINGH
28 PUNJAB
REGIMENT
Naik Rajan
Singh was traveling in a Coach of the Hatia-Delhi-Jharkhand Swarnyajayanti Express
on 12 April 2007. At 2000 hours when the train was between Latehar and Daltonganj,
around 10 dacoits entered another coach and started looting the passengers. When
the dacoits entered the coach of Naik Rajan Singh, he challenged them and managed
to overpower one of the dacoits. In a bid to free his accomplice, a second dacoit
fired into his right thigh. Undaunted, he continued to resist the dacoits. His
audacity unnerved the dacoits and they jumped out of the train.
Naik Rajan Singh displayed cool temperament, grit and determination
while fighting the dacoits.
MAJOR ISHWAR SINGH DAHIYA
REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY /14 ASSAM RIFLES
Based on
inputs of extortion being carried out by terrorists in general area in district
Senapati of Manipur, two columns were launched under Major Ishwar Singh Dahiya.
On approaching the target village, Major Dahiya identified the presence of 4-5
armed cadres. On being challenged, the cadres retaliated with indiscriminate fire
from a close by house. This officer, displaying raw courage entered the house
eliminating one terrorist. He was however shot in the neck by a second terrorist.
Despite being grievously injured he eliminated him also at close range.
Major Ishwar Singh Dahiya displayed raw courage and conspicuous
gallantry in fighting the terrorists.
RIFLEMAN ABDUL HAMID CHARA, 162
INFANTRY BATTALION TA (H&H) JAK LI/18 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS)
On 12 June 2007, Rifleman Abdul Hamid Chara was a part of
a stop in search and destroy operation in general area in district Kupwara of
Jammu & Kashmir. At 1330 hours, Rifleman Abdul Hamid Chara observed two terrorists
attempting to flee target area. He moved quickly under dense undergrowth to cut
off the escape route. The terrorists spotted him and brought down heavy fire on
him causing multiple gunshot injuries. Undaunted, he continued the battle and
killed one terrorist before succumbing to his injuries.
Rifleman Abdul Hamid
Chara displayed exemplary courage and unflinching grit and made the supreme sacrifice
while fighting the terrorists.
HAVILDAR UDAR BHANUDAS PARVATI
21 PARA (SPECIAL
FORCES) (POSTHUMOUS)
Havildar Udar Bhanudas Parvati was the squad commander of
the assault team tasked to raid a terrorist camp in a village along the Indo -
Myanmar border in Manipur. On 08 July 2007, the raiding party on reaching the
target area immediately came under heavy terrorists' fire. Undeterred Havildar
Bhanudas closed in and eliminated one terrorist in an intense fire fight. While
eliminating a second terrorist he was hit by a bullet.
Havildar
Udar Bhanudas Parvati displayed exemplary grit, raw courage and made the supreme
sacrifice while fighting the terrorists.
ASSISTANT COMMANDANT ANURAG KUMAR
42 BATTALION BORDER SECURITY FORCE/16 JAT REGIMENT
Assistant Commandant Anurag Kumar was the commander of a
search team. At around 0800 hours on 06 October, 2007 his team came under heavy
fire from a group of heavily armed terrorists. Assistant Commandant Anurag Kumar
sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach in the first volley of bullets. Unmindful
of his injuries, he decided to take the firefight into the terrorists hiding place.
In a hand to hand and close quarter battle, he shot dead two hard core foreign
terrorists.
Assistant Commandant
Anurag Kumar displayed exemplary leadership and conspicuous gallantry in the fight
against terrorists.
MAJOR VIRENDER SINGH SALARIA
10 PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES)
Major Virender
Singh Salaria was the team leader in Bandipura of Jammu & Kashmir. On receipt
of information about the presence of terrorists in a village, he rushed to the
target house and cordoned it positioning himself on the main escape route. On
11 October 2007 at 0900 hours he
observed a terrorist and at an appropriate moment opened fire killing him. The
other terrorists charged out of the house firing indiscriminately in his direction.
Displaying unparalleled courage he came out of the cover and shot dead one of
them.
Major Virender Singh Salaria displayed act of exceptional
gallantry and leadership in fighting the terrorists.
SAMIR / HS
(Release ID :38860)