The iconic maroon beret once again stood as a symbol of unmatched courage, sacrifice and elite soldiering as several warriors of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) were honoured with prestigious gallantry awards during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-I).
President Droupadi Murmu presented the gallantry awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognising the extraordinary bravery, tactical brilliance and devotion to duty displayed by India’s soldiers in some of the most dangerous counter-terror and counter-insurgency operations.
The photograph of senior Army leadership and Para Special Forces personnel wearing the legendary maroon berets captures more than a ceremonial moment. It reflects the pride of a regiment whose soldiers operate in silence, often in hostile terrain, under extreme risk, and with little public recognition until their acts of courage are formally honoured by the nation.
Among the awardees were Para SF officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and soldiers who displayed exceptional courage in operations across Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. Their actions ranged from close-quarter combat with terrorists to hostage rescue, deep reconnaissance and precision strikes against insurgent hideouts.
Kirti Chakra Awardees
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, 2 PARA (Special Forces)
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of 2 PARA (SF) was honoured with the Kirti Chakra for displaying raw courage and outstanding leadership during a high-risk counter-terror search operation in the dense forests of Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir, on 11 April 2025.
During the operation, his squad spotted two heavily armed terrorists attempting to escape across a stream. Realising that the terrorists could slip away through the difficult forest terrain, Naib Subedar Subba quickly shifted his team’s position under intense enemy fire to block their escape route.
Leading from the front, he engaged the first terrorist and wounded him. Despite the grave risk to his own life, he then deliberately exposed his position to draw the enemy’s attention and close in on the second terrorist. In a fierce close-quarter engagement, he neutralised the hardcore terrorist at point-blank range.
His action reflected the highest traditions of the Special Forces — speed, surprise, aggression and selfless courage under fire.
Captain Lalrinawma Sailo, 4 PARA (Special Forces)
Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of 4 PARA (Special Forces) was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his exceptional courage and tactical leadership during a counter-terror operation in the forested terrain of the Srinagar area.
Captain Sailo and his team were deployed to trace and destroy the terror network responsible for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Operating in dense forest terrain, he detected suspicious movement and used a Mini Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) to analyse the threat. The surveillance confirmed the presence of a high-category terrorist.
Despite coming under a heavy volume of enemy fire, Captain Sailo moved directly towards the threat. Showing remarkable composure and courage, he engaged the terrorist in close-quarter combat and neutralised a dreaded commander before the hostile group could launch a wider counter-assault.
His gallantry highlighted the modern face of Special Forces operations — combining technology, intelligence, battlefield awareness and fearless physical courage.
Shaurya Chakra Awardees
Major Ashish Kumar, 7 PARA (Special Forces)
Major Ashish Kumar of 7 PARA (SF) was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his role in a counter-terror operation on 2 November 2024 in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir.
His team was maintaining surveillance along a known terrorist infiltration route when they intercepted a combat cell. The terrorists opened heavy fire, creating a dangerous and fast-moving battlefield situation.
Major Ashish Kumar displayed exceptional tactical control by coordinating his sniper teams and support squads under fire. He personally advanced through the line of fire and engaged the terrorists from close range.
During the operation, he neutralised two terrorists belonging to the PAFF/LeT terror network, including a highly rated Pakistan-occupied Kashmir trained operational commander identified as Arbaz Mir.
His courage and command presence ensured that the terrorists were eliminated before they could escape or inflict further damage.
Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh, 11 PARA (Special Forces)
Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of 11 PARA (SF) was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for an operation involving the rescue of innocent civilian hostages from insurgents in the Northeast.
Acting on critical intelligence that insurgents had abducted civilians, Major Singh led his team into rugged and hostile terrain. The situation was extremely sensitive, as the presence of hostages meant that any mistake could lead to loss of innocent lives.
As his team advanced, they came under a heavy perimeter ambush. Major Singh moved aggressively towards the threat to prevent the execution of the captives. In point-blank combat, he engaged the insurgents and neutralised an active militant.
In an extraordinary act of bravery, he physically used his own body as a shield to protect a civilian hostage and guided the captives safely out of the crossfire. The hostages were rescued unharmed.
His actions reflected not only combat bravery but also the soldier’s deepest commitment to protecting innocent lives.
Major Shivkant Yadav, 5 PARA (Special Forces)
Major Shivkant Yadav of 5 PARA (SF) was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for exceptional planning, field craft and bravery during a difficult operation in hostile jungle terrain.
He led a specialised strike squad through near-impenetrable, heavily booby-trapped and rugged jungle terrain. The conditions demanded patience, stealth, endurance and complete battlefield awareness.
Despite intense environmental challenges and the constant danger of ambush, Major Yadav successfully navigated his team into position and executed a surgical ambush. The operation led to the neutralisation of an elusive top-tier insurgent commander.
His leadership demonstrated the Special Forces’ ability to operate deep inside hostile zones with precision, discipline and complete mission focus.
Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar, 21 PARA (Special Forces)
Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 PARA (SF) was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for masterminding a complex and long-term operation against insurgents.
He established an extensive intelligence and reconnaissance network inside hostile territory. His planning involved deep surveillance, risk-heavy reconnaissance and precise operational coordination.
Through sustained intelligence gathering and tactical patience, he helped isolate a hidden insurgent base camp. The operation culminated in a successful high-risk strike that dismantled the enemy camp and disrupted the insurgent network.
His actions underline the strategic dimension of Special Forces operations, where success depends not only on battlefield courage but also on intelligence, planning, patience and execution.
Captain Yogendra Singh Thakur, PARA Special Forces
Captain Yogendra Singh Thakur of the Parachute Regiment Special Forces was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for displaying outstanding courage during a blind encounter in Jammu & Kashmir.
During the operation, thick seasonal fog reduced visibility to almost zero. In such conditions, his team suddenly came under heavy close-range fire from terrorists.
Instead of taking cover and waiting for visibility to improve, Captain Thakur crawled flat against the terrain towards the enemy position. Moving directly into the line of sight of the hostile fire, he closed in and engaged the primary threat head-on.
His calmness under extreme pressure and willingness to move towards danger helped neutralise the terrorist threat and protect his team during a highly unpredictable encounter.
Subedar Shamsher Singh, 4 PARA (Special Forces)
Subedar Shamsher Singh of 4 PARA (SF) was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for his exceptional tactical discipline and courage as an assault squad leader during a fast-moving close-combat operation in Srinagar.
During the cordon operation, his team came under direct threat from terrorists. Subedar Shamsher Singh anchored his squad’s position under enemy observation and fire, allowing other elements to manoeuvre effectively.
By holding his ground and drawing attention away from flanking elements, he created the tactical opening needed to eliminate the primary threat.
His actions reflected the battlefield maturity of a seasoned Special Forces leader — calm under pressure, disciplined under fire and fully committed to mission success.
Lance Naik, Now Naik, Rahul Singh, 4 PARA (Special Forces)
Lance Naik Rahul Singh, now promoted to Naik, of 4 PARA (SF) was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his exceptional stealth, field craft and bravery during a search-and-destroy mission.
Operating as part of a Special Forces team, he tracked signs of terrorist presence across complex terrain and helped locate a hidden bunker structure. Moving with extreme caution and precision, he breached the immediate perimeter of the terrorist hideout.
Before the enemy could react or detonate a defensive counter-explosive, he neutralised the closest hostile combatant with accurate fire. His swift and decisive action gave his team the advantage and helped dominate the engagement.
His bravery represented the quiet but deadly professionalism of the Special Forces soldier — alert, fearless and effective in the most dangerous moments.
The Maroon Beret: A Symbol of India’s Elite Warriors
The Parachute Regiment Special Forces, known for their iconic maroon beret, represents one of the most elite fighting arms of the Indian Army. Its soldiers are trained for high-risk missions, including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, special reconnaissance, surgical strikes, deep penetration operations and direct action missions.
The gallantry awards presented during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 are not merely individual honours. They are a reflection of the courage, sacrifice and professionalism of all soldiers who serve in silence on the nation’s frontlines.
From the forests of Kishtwar and Srinagar to the rugged terrain of the Northeast, these Para SF bravehearts proved that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward despite it.
Their stories will continue to inspire generations of soldiers and defence aspirants across the country.
