Latest news with #ShauryaChakras
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Anti-terror heroes get top gallantry honours
NEW DELHI India on Thursday acknowledged the heroism of its soldiers who took part in Operation Sindoor and played a pivotal role in hitting terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three months ago, with President Droupadi Murmu approving scores of wartime honours for them. Anti-terror heroes get top gallantry honours Among the 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards cleared by the President on the eve of the 79th Independence Day are four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals, the defence ministry said. Vir Chakra is India's third-highest wartime honour, and has been awarded to soldiers who demonstrated uncommon valour during Operation Sindoor --- India's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. The Vir Chakra awardees are Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Group Captain Manish Arora, Group Captain Animesh Patni, Group Captain Kunal Kalra, Wing Commander Joy Chandra, Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar, Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh, BSF Sub Inspector Mohd Imteyaz (Posthumous) and Constable Deeapk Chingakham (Posthumous). All the Indian Air Force (IAF) Vir Chakra awardees are pilots. The defence ministry did not release the citations of the military awardees. The Kirti Chakras and Shaurya Chakras --- India's second and third-highest peacetime gallantry awards are not linked to Operation Sindoor. The bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and Sena Medals (Gallantry) have been awarded for both Operation Sindoor and counter-terrorism operations, people aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. Two Agniveers have been awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) for the first time. The Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and Yudh Seva Medals have been awarded to soldiers for their role in Operation Sindoor, the people said. The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal awardees include Northern Army commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, director general military operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, IAF vice chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, South Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, director general air operations Air Marshal AK Bharti and then Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh (retd). The Kirti Chakra has been awarded to Captain Lalrinawwa Sailo, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari, Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A and Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar. The President also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches. India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were killed. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The nine terror camps hit by the Indian forces with a mix of missiles and smart munitions included Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, Markaz Taiba near Muridke, Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. The targets in Bahawalpur and Muridke were hit by the IAF; the rest by the army. The air force also struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. In one of the counterstrikes on the night of May 7-8, Islamabad launched aerial attacks using drones and missiles at multiple towns and cities, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Phalodi, Suratgarh, Uttarlai, Nal and Bhuj. India's air defence shield fended off the attacks. In an address to soldiers, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor was a balanced military response that signalled India is no longer bound by traditional boundaries, but is using modern technology, accurate intelligence and smart military strategies to target terror. 'It was a clear message from India that we are tolerant, but when it comes to the safety of our people and the dignity of our country, we unite and face every challenge boldly. Operation Sindoor is a part of India's new policy, a clear message that no matter how deep the roots of terrorism are, its complete destruction will be ensured,' he said. The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated at the Independence Day function at Red Fort on Friday. A Mi-17 helicopter will fly a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will also showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation. At least five Pakistani combat jets and a large surveillance aircraft were shot down by Indian air defence weapons, primarily the S-400 system, during the four days of hostilities between the two countries in May, chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said last week, the first official acknowledgment of such successes by the Indian side. Air Chief Marshal Singh, who was delivering a public lecture in Bengaluru, said attacks by the Indian military also destroyed or damaged at least two Pakistani command and control centres, at least six big and small radars, two surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGW) systems, and the runways and hangars at the airbases in Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bholari and Jacobabad. Sons of former IAF chiefs among heroes Among the Operation Sindoor heroes decorated with medals are the sons of two former IAF chiefs. The 26 IAF personnel awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) include Group Captain Omar Browne and Squadron Leader Mihir Vivek Chaudhari. Both of them are fighter pilots, like their fathers. While Omar is the son of Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne (retd), Mihir's father Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari was the IAF chief until last year. Sena medals for Agniveers Two Agniveers have been awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) for the first time. It is unclear if they have been hailed for Operation Sindoor or counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. To be sure, more than 3,000 Agniveers --- barely 20 years old and recruited during the last two years --- manned critical weapons and systems integral to the army's hardy air defence (AD) shield activated during Operation Sindoor, which Pakistan couldn't punch through despite launching wave after wave of missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian military installations, airbases and cities during the May 7-10 clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Defence personnel awarded gallantry medals for success of Operation Sindoor
The Union government on Thursday (August 14, 2025) announced gallantry awards for armed forces personnel, including those who played a key role in the success of Operation Sindoor. President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards for personnel of the armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day, according to the Union Ministry of Defence. The President also approved Tatrakshak Medals to five Indian Coast Guard personnel. The awards include four Kirti Chakras; 15 Vir Chakras; 16 Shaurya Chakras; two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry); six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry); seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals; nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals; and 24 Yudh Seva Medals. Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham of the Border Security Force (BSF) were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra in recognition of their exceptional courage and selfless leadership in the face of an adverse situation, the BSF said. The government has awarded 58 Sena Medals to the Indian Army, including to two Agniveers. Six Nao Sena medals have been awarded to Indian Navy personnel, and 26 Vayu Sena medals to Indian Air Force personnel. The medals have been awarded for brave contribution in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor, and other operations conducted by the armed forces. The list of awardees includes pilots, officers, and jawans operating the S-400 air defence system. The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal has been awarded to Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations for Operation Sindoor; Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command; Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff; Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command; Air Marshal Jeetandra Mishra, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command; and Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General, Air Operations. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received 23 Gallantry Medals, the highest among Central Armed Police Forces, including three Shaurya Chakras and 20 Gallantry Medals for valour in Jammu & Kashmir, and in anti-Maoist operations. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, during which a series of missile strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation targeted nine locations, including terror camps in Muridke, a Lashkar-e-Taiba stronghold, and Bahawalpur, the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters. The President also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches for 115 personnel of the Indian Army, five personnel of the Indian Navy, 167 personnel of the Indian Air Force, and three personnel of the Border Roads Development Board. During Operation Sindoor, India's air defence systems shot down six Pakistani aircraft, while air-to-ground missiles struck airbases and other defence installations in the neighbouring country, causing significant damage, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh recently said.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
7 President's Police Gallantry Medals all awarded to Gadchiroli Police
The Government of India has announced the recipients of the President's Police Gallantry Medal for 2025, with all seven awardees from Maharashtra serving in the Gadchiroli district police force. The medals have been awarded in recognition of their exceptional bravery during a Maoist attack in 2017. Over the last five years, Gadchiroli police have received a total of three Shaurya Chakras, 210 Police Gallantry Medals, and eight medals for meritorious service. The recipients of the Police Gallantry Medal from the Gadchiroli Police force in 2025 are assistant police inspector Netaji Sukhdev Bandgar, police sub-inspector Manohar Kotla Mahaka, police head constable Manohar Lachma Pendam, constables Prakash Ishwar Kannake, Atul Satyanarayan Yegolpawar, Hidayat Sadulla Khan and martyr police constable Suresh Lingaji Telami (posthumously). In 2017, a C-60 team was returning to Bhamragad from Kothi in an MPV vehicle when Maoists detonated a landmine and attacked the police team. The officers and personnel responded to this cowardly attack with great courage and composure, Gadchiroli Police said. They protected the injured and trapped police personnel and themselves while returning fire against the intense Maoist assault. The President's Police Gallantry Medal has been announced in recognition of the bravery displayed by these officers and personnel during this landmine blast. The Superintendent of Police Neelotpal commended the recipients of the President's Police Gallantry Medal on behalf of the Gadchiroli Police force and extended his best wishes for their future service.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
President Murmu honours Captain Deepak Singh with Shaurya Chakra
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): In a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu honoured the bravery and supreme sacrifice of Captain Deepak Singh, a brave son of Uttarakhand, by conferring the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. According to defence officials, Captain Deepak Singh was killed in action during the ongoing operation in Assar, Doda, in August 2024. He was from the 48 Rashtriya Rifles. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid heartfelt tributes to Captain Deepak Singh, expressing their deep condolences to his family. CM Dhami emphasised the heroism of Captain Singh and the significant impact of his ultimate sacrifice on the nation's spirit and the people of Uttarakhand. 'In August 2024, during an encounter with terrorists, despite being injured, he showed unmatched courage and attained martyrdom while protecting the nation till his last breath. The military land of Uttarakhand is proud of this brave son', said Dhami, taking to his Twitter(X). President Droupadi Murmu conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous, and 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumous, to the personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State/Union Territory Police during Phase-I of Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. The Gallantry awards were given to the personnel for displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery and total disregard to personal safety in the line of duty, as per the ministry. The bravery, which has been awarded, was displayed during various operations related to counter-terror/counter-insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. 'Dreaded terrorists were neutralised & apprehended during these operations, and arms & ammunition were recovered,' it added. The Indian Navy officers led anti-piracy operations, resulting in the surrender of pirates and the rescue of hostages, while also demonstrating bravery during fire-fighting operations on a burning oil tanker, the statement added. The statement added that the awardees from the Indian Air Force showed utmost courage in life-threatening circumstances during the rescue of aircraft while manoeuvring away from civilian areas to avoid any loss of life/property. The gallant act of CRPF officers was performed in various operations in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism. Maoist insurgents were apprehended and weapons recovered, it added. (ANI)
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
In Pics: President Murmu Confers 6 Kirti Chakras, 33 Shaurya Chakras
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, to personnel of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police for displaying indomitable courage and extraordinary valour in the line of duty. Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award. Col Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, two other army personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles and a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer have been conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously, according to the list of awardees. President Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, also presented 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, to the personnel of the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces and state/Union Territory police.
