President Murmu approves 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours for defence personnel

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for personnel of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) on the eve of Independence Day. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Defence, recognises exceptional courage and dedication in various operations across the country.

The awards comprise nine Kirti Chakras, seven of them posthumous; one Bar to Shaurya Chakra; 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). These honours reflect the valour displayed by personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and central police forces.

Among the Kirti Chakra recipients are Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF of 21 Para (Special Forces) and Major Jitendra Rathee of 2 Para (Special Forces). Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 Para (Special Forces) has been awarded the honour posthumously, a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made in the line of duty.

Six personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces and other forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously. They include Head Constables Jagbir Singh and Bashir Ahmad, Special Grade Constables Jaswant Singh, Balvinder Singh and Tariq Hussain, and Inspector Sunil Kumar of the Special Task Force. Their bravery in counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations has been starkly acknowledged.

The Shaurya Chakra list features several Army personnel serving with Rashtriya Rifles and Para (Special Forces) units. Major Paramveer of the Garhwal Rifles, Major Tarun Vasudevan of the Corps of Engineers, and Major Keshav Kumar of 12 Dogra are among the awardees. Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar of the Navy and Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar of the Air Force have also been recognised for their gallantry.

Additionally, the President has approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches, comprising 75 Army personnel, four Navy personnel, and 10 Air Force personnel. These mentions acknowledge individual acts of bravery and distinguished service in operational areas.

The citations span a range of operations, including Operation Rakshak, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Chakravyuh, Operation Chetheba, Operation Khoj, Operation Talash, and other operations. The broad scope highlights the diverse challenges faced by security forces, from counter-insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir to high-altitude deployments in Siachen.

Among those recognised are personnel from the Army’s aviation, special forces, Rashtriya Rifles, Assam Rifles, and other formations. Notably, an Army dog named Tyson, of the Remount Veterinary Corps, 2 Para (Special Forces), has also been included among the Mention-in-Despatches, underscoring the valued role of military animals in operations.

The honours, announced annually ahead of Independence Day, pay tribute to the gallantry and distinguished service of personnel across different theatres. They serve as a national acknowledgement of the sacrifices and bravery of the armed forces and central police forces in safeguarding the nation's security and integrity.