Seven personnel of the 21 Parachute-Special Forces Regiment, which carried out the cross-border raid into Myanmar in June this year against North-East insurgents camping there, were approved for gallantry medals by the President on the occasion of Independence Day. In all, two Kirti Chakras, the nation’s second highest peacetime gallantry medal and ten Shaurya Chakras were announced besides Sena Medals. The total number of thee medals is 67.
Commandant Chandra Shekhar Joshi, Commander of Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which was involved in an operation that led to the sinking of a Pakistani boat carrying weapons and other suspicious items off the Gujarat Coast, was approved for the President’s Tatrakshak Medal for gallantry besides seven Tatrakshak Medals for other Coast Guard personnel.
Apart from Commandant Joshi, Commander Mohan Milind Mokashi, Commanding Officer, INS Sumitra, and Captain Rajesh Dhankhar, Commanding Officer, INS Mumbai, which spearheaded the rescue operation of stranded Indians in Yemen this year, will also get gallantry awards.
lt Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam of the 21 Parachute Regiment, who led a group of Indian Special Forces commandos for the raid into Myanmar got the Kirti Chakra along with Naib Subedhar Rajesh Kumar (posthumous), killed in an operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in October last year.
Ten soldiers including Havildar Tanka Kumar limbu of the 21 Para, got Shaurya Chakra for the Myanmar raid. Other awardees include Colonel M N Rai (posthumous), Havaldar Man Bahadur Chhetri(posthumous), Head Constable of Jand K police Mohammad Shafi Sheikh(posthumous), Constable Reyaz Ahmad lone and CRPF Second-in-Command Hira Kumar Jha(both posthumous).
Squadron leader S Selvakumar, Flight lieutenant Gandikota Jagan Mohan and Sergent Mukesh Kumar Tiwari got the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry.
The President has also awarded 20 Mention-in-Despatches to Army and Para Military personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include three for ‘Operation Meghdoot,’ 12 for ‘Operation Rakshak,’ one for ‘Operation Orchid,’ one for ‘Operation Hifazat’ and three for ‘Operation Rhino.’