President Droupadi Murmu awards 6 Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to brave personnel

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, to personnel from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police for displaying indomitable courage and extraordinary valour in the line of duty. The Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peace-time gallantry award.

Alongside, 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, were presented to personnel from the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and state/Union Territory police during a defence investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Posthumous Kirti Chakra awards to Army and police personnel

Among the posthumous Kirti Chakra awardees were Col Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, two other Army personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles, and a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer. Maj Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Maratha Light Infantry, 56 Rashtriya Rifles, and Major Manjit of the Punjab Regiment, 22 Rashtriya Rifles, received the Kirti Chakra in person.

The posthumous recipients included Rifleman Ravi Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 63 Rashtriya Rifles; Colonel Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, 19 Rashtriya Rifles; Naik Dilwar Khan of the Regiment of Artillery, 28 Rashtriya Rifles; and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Shaurya Chakra for extraordinary bravery in critical situations

President Murmu also honoured individuals like Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar and Corporal Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabhai of the Indian Air Force for their heroic acts. The Rashtrapati Bhavan noted, “President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, Flying (Pilot). His undaunted courageous decision in a life-threatening situation to force land the aircraft on a dark night ensured the safety of a valuable national asset and precluded a probable loss of lives,” PTI reported.

About Corporal Dabhi, it said, “In a terrorist attack in May 2024, he displayed exceptional composure and tactical awareness. Unfazed by profuse bleeding and the severity of his wounds, he strategically adjusted his position, took cover, and engaged the enemy with his personal weapon, saving the precious lives of his team members.”

Operations spanned counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, and fire-fighting

The Defence Ministry highlighted that the gallantry awards were given for bravery displayed during various counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the northeast. Terrorists were neutralised, and arms and ammunition recovered during these missions.

Naval officers also earned accolades for their leadership in anti-piracy missions and fire-fighting operations on a burning oil tanker. “His unwavering grit, fighting spirit & resolve under adverse conditions – fighting fire onboard MV Marlin Luanda, an oil tanker carrying highly inflammable material, saved invaluable lives,” the Navy had said about Lt Cdr Kapil Yadav.

President Murmu also awarded Shaurya Chakra to Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal, Commanding Officer of INS Kolkata, who “has demonstrated inspiring leadership in four successful operations of INS Kolkata in the Gulf of Aden since December 2023.”

The ministry added that CRPF officers showed utmost courage in operations against left-wing extremists, apprehending Maoist insurgents and recovering weapons. The Rashtrapati Bhavan shared pictures and detailed updates of the ceremony on its official X handle.

(With PTI inputs)