Captain Anshuman Singh, who was killed while trying to save his comrades during a fire incident in Siachen, received the Kirti Chakra (Posthumous).
New Delhi: On the eve of the 75th Republic Day, the president and supreme commander of the armed forces, Droupadi Murmu, approved gallantry awards to 80 service personnel, including 12 posthumously, on Thursday. The awards included six Kirti Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, 53 Sena Medals, one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
The Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime award, followed by the Shaurya Chakra series of awards. The Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime award.
The six Kirti Chakras were awarded to Major Digvijay Singh from 21 Para (Special Forces), Major Deependra Vikram Basnet from 4 Sikh Regiment, and Havildar Pawan Kumar Yadav from 21 Mahar Regiment. Those who received the award posthumously include Captain Anshuman Singh from Army Medical Corps (AMC), Havildar Abdul Majid from 9 Para SF, and Sepoy Pawan Kumar, who served with Grenadiers and later with the distinguished 55 Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu & Kashmir.
Capt Anshuman Singh, who was commissioned into AMC on March 19, 2020, was among the KC awardees. The officer joined 26 Punjab Regiment as Medical Officer for Chandan Complex (on Siachen Glacier) under Operation Meghdoot. During the night of July 19, 2023, a major fire incident occurred at Chandan dropping zone. Capt Singh heard the call of fire and rushed out of his fibreglass hut (FGH) to rescue four to five individuals from the adjacent FGH, which was covered in smoke and was on the verge of catching fire.
He directed individuals to a safe location and then went inside his FGH to retrieve the medical aid box. However, he could not make his way out as the flames had spread and engulfed his shelter because of high-speed winds. Despite repeated efforts, Capt Singh couldn’t be rescued, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for his comrades’ lives, as India Sentinels had reported then.
His award citation stated: “Captain Anshuman Singh exhibited exceptional bravery and resolve of the highest order with utter disregard to his own safety. For his act of valour and sacrifice reflects the finest traditions of the Indian Army, Captain Anshuman Singh is recommended for the award of Kirti Chakra (Posthumous).”
All six Kirti Chakras were awarded to Army personnel, while four Jammu & Kashmir Police personnel, two from the Indian Air Force, one from the Central Reserve Police Force, one from the Indian Navy, and an Army civilian posted in the Rashtriya Rifles were also honoured.
The president approved 84 Mentions in Despatches (MiDs) to military personnel, including 10 posthumously. The Army received 68 MiDs: 34 for Operation Rakshak, an ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operation in Jammu & Kashmir; 16 for Operation Snow Leopard, which took place in eastern Ladakh along the line of actual control (LAC); seven for Operation Meghdoot, which took place in Siachen; three for Operation Sahayta; two for Operation Sidhra, a counterterror operation in Sidhra, Jammu; three for operations undertaken for casualty evacuation; and three for miscellaneous operations.
The Air Force received 16 MiDs, 15 of which were attributed to Operation Kaveri, which was initiated to rescue individuals from the Sudan conflict zone.
It may be noted that Mention in Dispatches is an acknowledgment of a brave or meritorious act for which a certificate is given.
In addition to the above, the president also approved 311 defence decorations for armed forces and other personnel in recognition of their devotion to duty. These awards included 31 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM), four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM), 59 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM), 10 Yudh Seva Medals (YSM), eight Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 38 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 10 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), five Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal, and 130 Vishisht Seva Medals.
The President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) was conferred upon Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, while Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) was awarded to Commandant Sunil Dutt and Commandant (JG) Saurabh. The Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service) was approved for three personnel – DIG Anil Kumar Parayil, DIG Jamal Taha, and Dipak Roy.
These medals were awarded to Coast Guard personnel for their act of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty, distinguished and meritorious service, recognizing their resolute commitment and exceptional service in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests, according to the official government statement.
