New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ram Nath Kovind has approved 131 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces Personnel and members of Paramilitary Forces on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day.
The awards include one Kirti Chakra, 20 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 93 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 11 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
While Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh of the Rajput Regiment has been awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously, gallantry awards, Rifleman Aurangzeb of JAKLI (who was abducted & killed by terrorists) is among the 20 Shaurya Chakra winners.
Captain P Rajkumar from the Navy, who flew daredevil missions in his Sea King helicopter to rescue several people during severe cyclonic storm Ockhi last December, has also been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
The other Shaurya Chakra awardees: Lt-Col Arjun Sharma (Jat), Majors Aditya Kumar (Garhwal Rifles), Pawan Gautam (Engineers) and Pawan Kumar (Jat), Captains Kaninder Paul Singh (Rajput) and Rajesh Jayesh Varma (Rajput), Naib Subedars Anil Kumar Dhaiya (Para) and Vijay Kumar Yadav (Maratha Li), Havildars Kul Bahadur Thapa (Para-SF) and Jaweed Ahmad Bhat (Para-SF), Grenadier Ranjit Singh (Artillery). Two soldiers are from Assam Rifles, Jaiprakash Oraon (posthumous) and Rathva Lilesh Bhai.
The President has also awarded 26 Mention-in-Despatches to Army Personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include 25 (three posthumous) for ‘Operation Rakshak’, one (posthumous) for ‘Operation Rhino’ and one additional name approved by the defence minister in the CH&AC meeting.
UNI ASH SHK2052