2 soldiers awarded Kirti Chakra for fighting terrorists

NEW DELHI: The nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry medal Kirti Chakra has been awarded to Major Tushar Gauba and sepoy Vijay Kumar (posthumously) for “uncommon valour” and “indomitable raw courage” during counter-terror operations in J&K, in addition to the Ashoka Chakra posthumously awarded to militant-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani.

Major Gauba (20 Jat Regiment) single-handedly killed three militants trying to infiltrate across the line of control, while also rescuing one of his injured colleagues in Kupwara district in May last year. “With utter disregard to his safety, Major Gauba showed tactical acumen by charging at the terrorists after crawling 20 metres under heavy fire. He killed the three terrorists in close combat,” said an officer.

Sepoy Kumar (22 Rashtriya Rifles), in turn, laid down his life while eliminating two terrorists during an operation in village Darsu in Baramulla district in August last year. “He came out in the open to cover the movement of some of his fellow soldiers who had come under heavy fire. He directly engaged the terrorists, killing one in the firefight. Despite being injured, he refused evacuation and later killed the second terrorist in hand-to-hand combat before succumbing to his injuries,” said the officer.

The nine Shaurya Chakras awarded this Republic Day are also all connected to counter-terror operations in J&K. The awardees are Lt-Colonel Vikrant Prasher (10 Para-SF), Major Amit Kumar Dimri (Garhwal Rifles, 14 RR), Major Imliakum Keitzar (4/4 Gorkha Rifles), Major Rohit Lingwal (9 Para-SF), Captain Abhay Sharma (1Para-SF), Captain Abhinav Kumar Choudhary (Signals/21 RR), Lance-Naik Ayyub Ali (Rajputna Rifles/9 RR), Sapper Mahesh HN (Engineers/44 Rashtriya Rifles) and Sepoy Ajay Kumar (Mech Infantry/42 RR), the last one posthumously.

Among the overall 411 awards, the Army also bagged 109 Sena Medals for gallantry, while the Navy has got seven Nao Sena Medals and the IAF two Vayu Sena Medals.