61st Republic Day Gallantry Awards- 26 Jan 2010

SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJOR AKASH SINGH
On 08-09 Sep 2009 intervening night on receiving information of infiltration attempt Major Akash Singh quickly laid and ambush at Rocket Support by 2210 hours. He sprung ambush at 2330 hours achieving complete surprise, single handily killed one terrorist and injured other (later reported dead as per EWCP Int Input), displaying utmost courage beyond the call of duty. In ensuing fierce and close Gun Battle, even after being grievously injured brought effective and accurate fire on terrorist, saving lives of five comrades. The op resulted in three terrorists killed and recovery of huge cache of war like store. In doing so the Gallant and Brave Officer in highest tradition of sacrifice laid down his life for the nation, successfully foiling a major infiltration bid on Line of Control.

SHAURYA CHAKRA : MAJOR JUGMAL SINGH VAGHELA
Based on specific input regarding impending infiltration attempt by a group of terrorists, Major Jugmal Singh Vaghela led by example the team that foiled infiltration bid by three armed foreign terrorists. The officer on observing three heavily armed terrorists in area astride Green Patch retained wits and let them move 30 meters into the killing area. Displaying perseverance, composure and maintaining complete surprise the officer killed one terrorist with first aimed shot followed by heavy volume of fire. Two terrorists ran and took cover behind thick trees and boulders and continued retaliating with indiscriminate firing. Completely undeterred and disregarding his personal safety the officer displaying highest standards of field craft crawled under hostile fire to block terrorist’s escape route towards line of control. After closing in, he lobbed hand grenades on terrorists from an advantageous position resulting in elimination of another terrorist in close quarter battle.

Maj Vaghela displayed conspicuous bravery and valour in the highest traditions of the Army coupled with tactical acumen, tenacity, exemplary courage and leadership qualities in the face of heavy odds.

SHAURYA CHAKRA : CAPTAIN TUSHAR DHASMANA
On Night 06 Aug 2009, based on intelligence inputs, he moved with his party and laid a Ambush in general area Sangam Nala. On 07 Aug 2009 at 1830hrs he and his buddy picked up movement of few terrorists at very close range. He and his buddy side stepped from their location and sprung a surprise on the terrorist. The terrorist opened fire and attempted to escape. The officer held on to his nerve and expeditiously returned fire instantly killing one terrorist. The remaining terrorists ran downstream taking cover of foliage. The officer sensing the need for exceptional courage jumped out from his position and fearlessly moved with his buddy to cut off the escaping terrorists. Displaying exemplary calmness and steely grit he closed in with the terrorists and shot dead a second terrorist at extreme close range. Just at that movement the third terrorist attempted to target the officer from his rear. With lightening reflexes the officer lobbed a grenade onto the hiding terrorist and followed it by a volley of fire resulting in his elimination.

SHAURYA CHAKRA : LIEUTENANT SATBIR SINGH
On 18 Mar 2009, when the Mobile Check Post laid by his patrol was fired at by the terrorists travelling in a jeep, Lieutenant Satbir, not only directed the fire of the troops at the fleeing vehicle but also killed an armed terrorist. He was injured grievously trying to pull his injured buddy Sep Chandrakant Dukare, to safety. Despite bleeding profusely and being seriously wounded, he refused to be evacuated and continued to engage the terrorists. Lieutenant Satbir Singh however succumbed to his injuries and laid down his life in the highest traditions of Indian Army.

SHAURYA CHAKRA : COLONEL SANJAY KAUSHIK
On 01 Jul 2009 at 1300h, Lt Col Sanjay Kaushik leading the Battalion Ghatak column, moved on reliable input about presence of four terrorists in house of the suspect at village Nilsu. On spot interrogation provided input that the terrorists were likely hiding in the adjoining forest. The officer displayed tactical acumen by immediately resiting the cordon and coordinating a two pronged probe to locate terrorists in the forest which had dense foliage and steep slopes. On being probed, the terrorists fired on own parties and spread along a nala, covered with big boulders and dense foliage. The fire fight continued in heavy rainstorm for approx two hours, when the officer anticipating approaching fading light, crawled forward from a flank against heavy fire and charged after throwing grenades. Disregarding personal safety, he closed in and killed two terrorists from point blank range and facilitated neutralization of the third terrorist.

SHAURYA CHAKRA : RIFLEMAN SURAJ PRAKASH
Rifleman Suraj Prakash was employed in Battalion Ghatak Platoon. He has been part of various ops during his tenure with 10 RR (RAJPUT). Some of which are as under :-

(a) 12 Dec 09 (OP MALHORI) – Two terrorists apprehended and one Rifle AK 56 and 20 rounds of AK Ammunition recovered.

(b) 19 Apr 09 (OP HADSING) - Two terrorists killed and one Rifle AK -56, 04 Magazine AK and 10 rounds of AK Ammunition recovered.

Late Rifleman Suraj Prakash is survived by wife Smt Sanjeeta Devi and son Master Akshit Shan, aged 02 years.
PIB- S Om Singh/Rajendra
Gallantry Awards for Army Personnel announced

62 Presidential Awards for IAF this year, PVSM for six Air Marshals

Shaurya Chakra for Naval MARCO killed in Counter Insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir Valley

The list of Army personnel who have been honoured with honorary commissions on the occasion of Republic Day - 2010

Gallantry Awards for Army Personnel announced

The President has approved awards of 442 gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others. This includes one Ashoka Chakra, six Kirti Chakras, 26 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 118 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry),three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 50 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 16 Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 38 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), two Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals and 119 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations: ASHOK CHAKRA AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY TO HAVILDAR RAJESH KUMAR

Ashok Chakra Awarded posthumously to Havildar Rajesh Kumar

Republic Day 2010 – a curtain raiser