New Delhi: On the occasion of 71st Republic Day, six Army personnel have been awarded with the highest peacetime military gallantry awards this year- “the Shaurya Chakra”.
Naib Subedar Sombir, who died while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on February 2019, was one of them.
Lt. Col Jyoti Lama, Maj. Konjenbham Bijendra Singh, Naib Subedhar Narender Singh, Naik Naresh Kumar and Karmdeo Oraon were the other brave men honoured with this award.
Shaurya Chakra is awarded to the armed forces for instances of extraordinary gallantry.
Squadron Leaders Ninad Mandavgane and Siddharth Vashisht, the two pilots of the Mi17 V5 helicopter, who died after the chopper was shot down by friendly fire in February last year during the dogfight between Indian and Pakistani fighter aircrafts, were among the four awardees of Vayu-Sena Medal.
The helicopter was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by the Indian Air Force in Kashmir’s Budgam on the morning of February 27, following the failure of command and control.
Havildar Baljeet, Naik Sandeep, Naik Buta Singh, Naik Kuldeep Singh and Rifleman Anil Kumar Jaiswal have also been honoured posthumously with Sena Medal. A total of 107 Sena Medals were announced.
30 top armed forces personnel, including Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhanc have been awarded Param Vishisht Sena Medals (PVSM).
Vice Chief of Indian Army Lt Gen S K Saini, G Ashok Kumar, the vice chief of the navy and Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora were also awarded PVSMs.
Besides, Eastern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral AK Jain and Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral AK Chawla have also been awarded with Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).
President Kovind also approved four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM) for top Army generals including Lt. Gen. Y K Joshi, who will soon take charge of the Northern Army Command.
The President also approved five Nao Sena Medals (gallantry), four Bar to Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 36 Sena Medals (devotion to duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (devotion to duty), one Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (devotion to duty) and 13 Vayu Sena Medals (devotion to duty).
