India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, was conferred on Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who died fighting militants in Kashmir valley. This is the third Ashok Chakra for the IAF and its first for ground combat.
“The President of India has approved awards of 390 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to armed forces personnel and others on the eve of the 69th Republic Day Celebrations,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
In addition to the Ashok Chakra, this includes one Kirti Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM), four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), 51 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM), 10 Yudh Seva Medals, 88 Sena Medals (Gallantry), one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 13 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty) and 122 Vishisht Seva Medals (VSM).
The Kirti Chakra was conferred on Major Vijayant Bist for foiling infiltration bid in Kashmir. The Army also got nine Shaurya Chakras while the IAF got three Shaurya Chakras. All three IAF Shaurya Chakras were conferred for Counter Insurgency (CI) duties in Kashmir.
Corporal Nirala was part of a Garud Special Forces Unit of the IAF and attached to a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Jammu & Kashmir for CI duties. On November 18, 2017, the Garud detachment launched an offensive against terrorists in Chanderger village of Bandipora district. An ambush was laid and Cpl Nirala positioned himself close to the approach of the hideout, thus cutting off possibilities of an escape by the terrorists.
Six terrorists rushed out of the house, firing shots and lobbing grenades.
“Cpl Nirala, disregarding personal safety and displaying indomitable courage, retaliated with effective lethal fire and gunned down two category ‘A’ terrorists and injured two others,” the statement said. He was hit and died ofl injuries later. In all, six terrorists were killed in the encounter.
The President also approved one President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service) to Inspector General Rajan Bargotra of the Indian Coast Guard.
