Colonel, 3 others who laid down lives in J&K conferred Kirti Chakra | India News



NEW DELHI: Colonel Manpreet Singh and deputy superintendent of J&K Police Humayun Muzzammil Bhat, who laid down their lives while battling terrorists in a fierce encounter in Anantnag district of J&K last September, and two others have been awarded Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest gallantry medal during peacetime, on Independence Day.
The other Kirti Chakra awardees are Rifleman Ravi Kumar (63 Rashtriya Rifles) posthumously, and Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu (56 Rashtriya Rifles).Colonel Singh, already a Sena Medal awardee, was from the Sikh Light Infantry and commanding the 19 Rashtriya Rifles unit during the encounter in Anantnag on Sept 13.
In the gunfight with heavily-armed terrorists in densely-forested hills, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Sepoy Pardeep Singh displayed conspicuous gallantry while laying down their lives. They have been awarded Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest medal.
“Col Singh displayed raw courage and unparalleled leadership by leading from the front during the operation. His undaunting valour and quick decision-making led to the elimination of one terrorist and preventing escape of other terrorists. DSP Bhat was leading the special operations group column of J&K Police,” an officer said.
Shaurya Chakra was awarded to 16 others, with two CRPF personnel getting it posthumously. Two Navy officers, destroyer INS Kolkata’s commanding officer Captain Sharad Sinsunwal & INS Visakhapatnam’sengineering officer Lt-Commander Kapil Yadav were conferred with Shaurya Chakra. The first for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, and the second for rescuing the crew of an oil tanker engulfed in flames on high seas.
The other Shaurya Chakra awardees are Colonel Pawan Singh (Army Aviation), Major C V S Nikhil (21 Para-SF), Major Tripatpreet Singh (34 RR), Major Sahil Randhawa (34 RR), Wing Commander Kapil Yadav (IAF), Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar (IAF), Subedar Sanjeev Singh Jasrotia (5 J&K Rifles), Naib Subedar P Pabin Singha (56 RR), Abdul Latif (J&K Police), deputy commandant Lakhveer (CRPF), assistant commandant Rajesh Panchal (CRPF) and Malkit Singh (CRPF).
In all, the Independence Day list has 103 gallantry medals. There are also 39 Mention-in-Despatches, including to Army dog Kent (posthumously) for their significant contributions in different military operations. The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Sahayata, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid and Operation Katchal.




Source link