19 soldiers of the special forces’ units of 4 and 9 Para, who were a part of the surgical strike across LoC last year, have been awarded gallantry medals. The awards include a Kirti Chakra while their commanding officers have been given Yudh Seva Medal.
The strikes were widely hailed by as a strong retaliation, and the Army’s new chief General Bipin Rawat has said it is prepared to use the tactic again if needed.
Major Rohit Suri of 4 Para, who led one of the teams across the LoC targeting terrorists’ launch pads, was awarded the Kirti Chakra, second highest peacetime gallantry award, on the eve of the Republic Day.
Colonel Kapil Yadav, Commanding Officer of 9 Para and Colonel Harpreet Sandhu, Commanding Officer of Para 4 were honoured with the Yudh Sewa Medal (YSM) which is one of India’s military decorations awarded to mark distinguished service during war time is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in an operational content, including times of war, conflict, or hostilities and may also be awarded posthumously.
The award is the wartime equivalent of the Vishisht Seva Medal, which is a decoration for peace time distinguished service.
Further another five army commandos from the Para regiments are also honoured with the Shaurya Chakra while 13 got Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of the Gorkha Rifles got the Kirti Chakra posthumously.
Also, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt Gen P M Hariz, who were superseded by Gen Bipin Rawat in the race for Army chief, were awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
Reports
