I-day: CG police jawan gets lone PPMG; 990 policemen decorated

15/08/2017

NEW DELHI, Aug 14: A Chhattisgarh Police jawan, who laid down his life fighting Naxals, has been named on the eve of the Independence Day today for the country's highest police gallantry medal, while 989 other central and state police forces personnel will get various service medals.
The maximum number of personnel, 53 out of the total 190 named for the bravery medals, are from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the lead force for anti-Naxal operations in the country.
The country's largest paramilitary was followed by Andhra Pradesh Police (52), Jammu and Kashmir Police (25), Odisha Police (17) and the Border Security Force (14) in winning the gallantry laurels in various internal security theatres.
The maximum of the gallantry medals, 142, were accorded to security forces undertaking operations against the Maoists in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) theatre followed by counter- terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, at 40.
Chhattisgarh Police platoon commander Shankar Rao (posthumously) is the lone recipient of the top President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) for leading his team in a fierce ambush with Naxals in April, 2015 in the worst LWE- violence affected district of Sukma in the state.
Seven policemen were killed while ten others were injured in this encounter, where the police estimates that about 35 Naxals were killed.
Among the bravery award winners are six Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, five of them young in the service, and working in the LWE-affected states.
Another IPS officer and Haryana Inspector General (IG) Anil K Rao has been named for the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG). Rao led his men who arrested Sant Rampal from his ashram after an about two-week standoff in 2014 in the Hisar district.
A six-member CRPF team that neutralised two foreign terrorists in the Nowhatta Chowk area of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on August 15 last year has also been decorated with the PMG.
Policemen of the J and K police and its elite Special Operations Group (SOG) have also been decorated for eliminating terrorists of various cadres during operations in the Kashmir valley, as per the list published by the Union Home Ministry today.
Two armymen, who sacrificed their lives during anti-terror operations, were among five security force personnel selected for the prestigious Kirti Chakra, the second highest gallantry award.
On the eve of the 71st Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind today approved a total of 112 gallantry awards for defence and paramilitary personnel for their sacrifices to the nation, the defence ministry said.
Havilder Giris Gurung of Gorkha Rifles, Major David Manlun from the Naga Regiment and Pramod Kumar, Commandant of 49 BN, CRPF were chosen for the Kirti Chakra posthumously.
Major Preetam Singh Kunnwar of the Garwal Rifle and Chetan Kumar Cheeta, a senior official in the CRPF, have also been selected for the award.
No names for the Ashok Chakra, the highest gallantry award, were announced by the government.
The gallantry awards approved by the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, include five Kirti Chakra, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals.
On May 20, Havilder Gurung had sacrificed his life during an anti-terror operation in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being grievously injured, he charged at a terrorist and fired at him displaying extreme courage and dedication towards call of duty.
Major Manlun was killed during an encounter with militants in Mon district of Nagaland on June 6. He was a role for his colleagues as he always led from the front, the Army said in a release.
Major Kunnwar has also been conferred the Kirti Chakra for showing grit and determination during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir on May 25 during which he had killed three dreaded terrorists.
CRPF commandant Cheeta had slipped into deep coma after being hit by bullets during a gun fight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year.
Kovind also approved a President's Tatrakshak medal, four Tatrakshak gallantry medals and two Tatrakshak meritorious service medals to Indian Coast Guard personnel.
Navy personnel who have been selected for Nau Sena medal are Pushpendra Tyagi, Jaskaran Singh and Azhar Azharuddin.
The Vayu Sena medals will be conferred on Wingh Commander Subhash Singh Rao and Wingh Commander Ravinder Ahlawat.
Lt Gen D Anbu, GOC-in-C Northern Command extended his heartiest greetings and good wishes to all ranks, veterans, civilian employees and their families. He complimented the troops for their unflinching devotion and exhorted them to rededicate themselves to safeguard our nations border and confront new challenges with professionalism and courage.
On this occasion a number of gallantry awards were awarded to the bravehearts of Northern Command. The awards included 02 Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras. Sena Medal (Gallantry) and Mention in Despatches for Operation Rakshak and Operation Meghdoot were also conferred.
Havildar Giris Gurung on 20 May 2017 during a search operation displayed exceptional courage and eliminated two terrorists at extreme close quarters with total disregard to his personal safety. He has been conferred with Kirti Chakra (Posthumous). Major Preetam Singh Kunwar displayed extraordinary gallantry, conspicuous bravery and killed three hardcore foreign terrorists resulting in foiling a major infiltration attempt in Baramulla Sector. For his unparalleled resilience, he has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second highest award for Gallantry during peace time.
Major Gosavi Kunal Munnagir while leading a Quick Reaction Team during a terrorist attack on 29 Nov 2016 displayed raw courage while under heavy fire and successfully rescued people trapped in the building. Despite injury he continued to pin down the terrorists till he succumbed to his injuries. Major Satish Dahiya during a search operation displayed extraordinary courage and eliminated two terrorists despite grevious wounds and ensured elimination of the third terrorist before attaining martyrdom. Both officers have been conferred with the third highest Gallantry award in peace time Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous).
Lance Naik Raghubeer Singh and Lance Naik Bhandoriya Gopalsinh Munimsinh while carrying out search operations on 11/12 Feb 2017 in Kulgam District successfully busted a terrorist hideout and displayed indomitable courage while eliminating four hardcore terrorist. Both the soldiers have been conferred with Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for this act of bravery.
Constable Manzoor Ahmad Naik of Jammu and Kashmir Police displayed extraordinary courage and uncommon valour and facilitated in extrication of a search party inspite of being greviously injured. Naik Chandra Singh during search operation on 25 Nov 16 inspite of being grievously wounded, continued to engage and killed a heavily armed terrorist thereby saving lives of his fellow soldiers and civilians. They both have been conferred with Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for their brave act.
Naib Subedar Surendra Singh displayed conspicuous courage and single handedly killed two hardcore terrorists in Dudhwain Forest. Subedar Shabir Ahmed and Lance Naik Kashmir Singh effectively eliminated two hardcore terrorists, thereby preventing terrorist strike on Independence Day-2016. All three brave hearts have been conferred with the Shaurya Chakra.
Sepoy Venkatarao Abotula prevented a sneak attack on a army camp in Kupwara which resulted in elimination of three hardcore foreign terrorists. Sepoy Arif Khan on 09 Mar 17 during a search operation displayed nerves of steel, exemplary courage and neutralised one hardcore terrorist. Lance Naik Deepak Ale while performing the duties of the post commander displayed indomitable spirit and eliminated two terrorists and also facilitated in elimination of two more terrorists despite facing heavy retaliation in a fierce fire fight. Gunner Rishi Kumar Ray on 27 April 2017 displayed extraordinary gallantry and in total disregard to his personal safety neutralised two terrorists in Panzgam. All four soldiers have been conferred with Shaurya Chakra.

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