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New Delhi, Jan 25: Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh of the Army has been selected for this year’s Ashok Chakra (posthumous), the highest peace time gallantry award, for his act of bravery in tackling terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Three others were chosen for the Kirti Chakra, second highest peace time gallantry award while 12 won the Shaurya Chakra, including Lt. Col Sankalp Kumar (posthumous) who was killed in December last thwarting a militant attack in Uri just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to address an election rally in the Valley. (Read: Padma Awards 2015: L K Advani, Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Bill Gates among 104 recipients)
Ashok Chakra
Naik Neeraj Singh while leading a search operation in general area Gurdaji of Kupwara district in J and K on August 24, 2014 came under heavy fire from terrorists which hit one of his colleagues. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he crawled and extricated his colleague. A terrorist threw grenades and brought heavy fire on Singh but in a very daring act, he inched closer to the terrorist and shot him dead, an official release said here today.
Simultaneously, he was attacked by another terrorist resulting in dropping of his rifle and was shot in the chest. Despite grievous injuries, displaying unparalleled courage, he pounced on the terrorist, snatched his weapon and killed him in hand-to-hand combat. He refused to be evacuated till he became unconscious and was later evacuated but he succumbed to his injuries.
The Kirti Chakra awardees are Captain Jaidev, Subedar Kosh Bahadur Gurung and Subedar Ajay Vardhan (posthumous).
The President has approved awards of 374 gallantry and other defence decorations to armed forces personnel and others on the eve of the 66th Republic Day celebrations, the release said.
The President will also award Ashok Chakra to the next of kin of Major Mukund Varadarajan of 44th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (22 Rajput) who was postumously honoured for showing exceptional bravery and courage while leading an anti-terrorist operation in a village of Shopian district of J-K on April 25, 2014. It was announced on August 15, last year.
Kirti Chakra
Capt Jaidev, who has been selected for the Kirti Chakra, along with two others, despite his near fatal injuries during a joint operation in the Pulwama district of J-K last year refused to be evacuated till its termination in which he personally neutralised two wanted terrorists.
Subedar Ajay Vardhan of the 14 Garhwal Rifles was deployed at 13,000 feet near Line of Control at Kupwara district of J-K. On December 1, last year, despite sustaining multiple gun shots to his head and body while taking on terrorist during an operation, he pulled one wounded soldier to safety, refused evacuation and continued leading his men and attained martyrdom.
Naib Subedar Kosh Bhadur Gurung was leading Ghatak Platoon in an operation located above 12,500 feet at general area of Sundarmali of Kupwara district in the Valley.
A group of heavily armed terrorists attempting infiltration was bringing down fire on the Ghatak Platoon using assault rifles and under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) taking advantage of darkness and big rocks in the area. Sensing grave danger to his fellow soldiers, Gurung displayed nerves of steel and conspicuous gallantry in the face of terrorist fire in highest traditions of the army.
Shaurya Chakra
On December 5, last year, Lt Col Sankalp Kumar, who has been selected for Shaurya Chakra along with eight others, was leading a column as part of the operation launched to neutralise a ‘fidayeen’ attack on 31 Field Regiment at Baramulla district of J-K. At 0545 hours, he established stops around Western side of Mahura Gun Area wherein six terrorists sneaked in and caused casualty to five other ranks.
At 0550 hours, Kumar, along with Havildar Subhash Chand and Naik Gurmail Singh, came under fire. The officer retaliated immediately pinning down a terrorist. The terrorist lobbed grenades and fired a volley of burst grievously injuring the officer. With utter disregard to his personal safety, the officer continued to engage the terrorist.
In a rare display of dauntless courage, he pinned down the terrorist with effective fire, thereby resulting in his subsequent elimination before making supreme sacrifice, the release said.
Kumar displayed conspicuous act of valour and exemplary fortitude in face of terrorist fire.
Besides one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 12 Shaurya Chakras, 48 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 11 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, three Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva Medals, 42 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 19 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), four Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals and 124 Vishisht Seva Medals have been awarded, the release said.
In addition to these, a total of 58 Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced army personnel for participating in different operations. These include one for operation Trishul Shakti, seven for Operation Megh Rahat, four for Operation Megh Doot, 29 for Operation Rakshak, one each for Operation Orchid and Operation Hifazat, two for Operation Falcon and thirteen for Operation Rhino.
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