Gallantry Awards

(a)        MAJOR R PARAMESWARAN, PVC (P) 8^TH BATTALION OF THE MAHAR REGIMENT - On     25  November 1987, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was returning from search  operation in  Sri Lanka late at night, when his column was ambushed by a group of militants.  By displaying presence of mind, he encircled the militants from the rear and boldly charged on them, taking them completely by surprise.  During the hand-to-hand combat, one militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted and unmindful to this grave injury, Major Parameswaran snatched the rifle from the militant and shot him dead.  In that condition he continued to give orders and inspired his command till he breathed his last.  The ambush was cleared, five militants were killed and three rifles and rocket launchers were recovered. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran displayed the most conspicuous gallantry act and made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life for the motherland.

(b)        MAJ KULDIP SINGH CHANDPURI, MVC 23^RD  BATTALION OF THE PUNJAB  REGIMENT - Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was a Major in 23 PUNJAB when the Pakistan Army attacked the Longewala post in Rajasthan, early in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.  Chandpuri and his company of 120 soldiers defended the post. In spite of considerable odds, against the 2000-3000 strong assault force of the Pakistani 51^st Infantry Brigade, backed by the 22^nd Armoured Regiment, Chandpuri and his company held the Pakistanis at bay for a full night until the Indian Air Force arrived to provide air support in the morning.  Chandpuri inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them to best back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. Chandpuri and his men inflicted heavy casualities on the enemy and forced them to retreat, leaving behind twelve tanks. For his conspicuous act of gallantry and leadership, Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC).    

(c)        MAJOR PADMAPANI ACHARYA, MVC (P) 2^ND BATTALION OF RAJPUTANA RIFLES REGIMENT -    On 28 June 1999, in the battalion attack on the Toloing feature by the 2nd RAJPUTANA Rifles, Major Padamapani Acharya as a Company Commandar, was assigned the formidable task of capturing an enemy position which was heavily fortified and strongly held with mine fields and sweeping machine gun and artillery fire. Success of the Battalion and Brigade operation hinged on the early capture of this position. However the company attack almost faltered at the very beginning, when the enemy’s artillery fire came down squarely on the leading platoon, inflicting large numbers of causalities. With utter disregard to his personal safety, Major Padmapani Acharya took the reserve platoon and led it through raining artillery shells.

(d)        MAJOR SONAM WANGCHUK, MVC 3^RD BATTALION OF LADAKH SCOUTS - On 30 May 1999, Major Sonam Wangchuk was leading a column of The Indus wing, Ladakh Scouts as part of ongoing operations in Op VIJAY in the Batalik Sector. The column was tasked to occupy Ridge Line on the Line of Control in a glaciated area at a height of about 5,500 meters. This was essential so as to pre-empt its occupation by the enemy and any subsequent infiltration, while moving towards the Line control. The enemy ambushed the column by firing from a vantage position. In the process, one NCO of the Ladakh Scouts was killed. Major Sonam Wangchuk held his column together and in a daring counter ambush, led a raid on the enemy position from a flank, killing two enemy soldiers. The Officer also recovered one Heavy Machine Gun and a Universal Machine Gun, ammunition, controlled stores and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel. Thereafter, the officer took stock of all forces along the Chorbatla axis in the Batalik Sector and cleared the axis up to the Line of Control of all enemy intrusions at great risk to his life. Major Sonam Wangchuk displayed exceptional bravery and gallantry act of the highest order in the presence of enemy fire and in extreme climate conditions in the glaciated area.

(e)        CAPTAIN KEISHING CLIFFORD NONGRUM, MVC (P) 12^TH BATTALION OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENT - On the night of 30 June/1 July 1999, in the operations to capture Point 4812, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum was tasked to assault the feature from the South-Eastern direction.  Captain Nongrum led his column over the near impossible vertical feature. On reaching the top, his column encountered strong enemy opposition.  The enemy was well entrenched in interconnected bunkers, carved out of boulders, and remained invulnerable to even artillery fire. The enemy pinned Captain Nongrum’s column down with heavy and accurate automatic fire for about two hours. On seeing the futility of own fire against the fortified bunkers, Captain Nongrum, with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged through the fire zone. Closing in with the first bunkers, he threw grenades into it and killed six enemy soldiers. He then tried to snatch the universal machine gun of the enemy from the bunker and received a volley of bullets. The audacious action of Captain Nongrum stunned the enemy, giving valuable reaction time to his troops to close in and finally clear the position. Though severely wounded, Captain Nongrum refused to be evacuated and fought valiantly till he succumbed to his injuries. This act resulted in the ultimate capture of point 4812. For conspicuous act of gallantry and supreme sacrifice, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum was honored with the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously.

(f)         MAJOR KRISHNA GOPAL CHATTERJEE, MVC 3/4^TH BATTALION OF THE GORKHA RIFLE REGIMENT - Major Krishna Gopal Chatterjee was inducted at Bialafondla Complex in the Siachen Glacier area, along with his battalion on 18 September 1987. In defence, the enemy started heavy shelling of the Bialafondia Complex on 21 September 1987. On the night of 23 September 1987, his post was subjected to shelling. Throughout the night, the enemy launched a series of assaults, which were successfully repulsed. Though injured in the left arm by a splinter of an artillery shell, he refused to be evacuated, continued to exercise his command and motivated his men to hold on. Again, on the night of 24 September 1987, the enemy launched a major attack in the evening. Major Chatterjee fought alongside his men, and repulsed three determined attacks by elite troops of the enemy’s battalion.

(g)        2^ND LIEUTENANT SHAMSHER SINGH SAMRA, MVC (P) 8^TH BATTALION OF BRIGADE OF GUARDS - Second Lieutenant Shamsher Singh Samra was platoon commander in a Battalion of the Brigade of Guards engaged in action on the Eastern Front. During the action, his troops came under heavy and accurate fire from automatic weapon. Undaunted by the heavy volume of fire, Second Lieutenant Shamsher Singh Samra encouraged his men to oppress the attack. When the officer was about 25 yards from the position, he received a medium machine gun burst in the chest.  Undeterred, he charged and destroyed the medium machine gun bunker with a grenade; he then rushed to a second bunker, when he was hit by another burst as a result of which he died with the grenade still in his hand. In this action, 2^nd Lieutenant Shamsheer Singh Samra displayed conspicuous bravery and determination and made the supreme sacrifice.

(h)        MAJOR PUTTICHANDA SOMAIAH GANAPATHI, MVC 8^TH BATTALION OF THE MAHAR REGIMENT - Major Puttichanda Somaiah Ganapathi  was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.  His unit, located at Annakottai, was surrounded and repeatedly attacked by militants on 16 October 1987.  His company had occupied this location to provide a firm base for the 41 Infantry Brigade to launch an offensive. Militants repeatedly attacked the position with very heavy fire, resulting in heavy causalities and his unit required immediate replenishment of ammunition.  Throughout the day, Major Ganapthi fought gallantly and kept the militants at bay.  Even though all efforts to drop ammunition by helicopter failed, due to the militants’ heavy fire, Major Ganapthi kept fighting moving from trench to trench till 0600 hours on 17 October 1987 when he was finally supplied with ammunition by a patrol.  Major Puttichanda Somaiah Ganapathi displayed extreme devotion and conspicuous bravery and held his position against heavy odds tenaciously.

(j)         2^ND LIEUTENANT  RAJEEV SANDHU, MVC (P) 7^TH BATTALION OF THE ASSAM REGIMENT - On 19 July 1988, Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was leading a convoy of two vehicles from Madurang Keni Kulam to Mangani in Sri Lanka for collection of dry rations. On the way, his jeep was suddenly fired upon by militants with rockets, AK-47 and 7.62 rifles. He was seriously wounded by the direct hit of a rocket which completely mutilated both his legs. Totally crippled and bleeding profusely, he tumbled out of the jeep with his 9mm Carbine and crawled to a fire position. Presuming that everyone in the vehicle had been killed, one of the militants came out of hiding and approached the jeep to pick up weapons and ammunition. Despite the fact that his legs were totally smashed and his body was perforated with bullets, he lifted his carbine with blood soaked hands, sprayed the militant with bullets and killed him. The militant was later found to be Kumaran of the group led by Batticaloa Sector militant leader Karuna. Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu blunted every effort of the militants to come anywhere near his fallen comrades or their weapons. He displayed conspicuous courage and died in keeping with the traditional martial spirit of the Indian Army.

(k)        LIEUTENANT BALWAN SINGH, MVC 18^TH BATTALION OF THE GRENADIERS-

On 03 July 1999, Lieutenant  Balwan Singh with his Ghatak Pl was tasked to assault the ‘Tiger Hill Top’  from the North Eastern direction as part of a multi pronged attack.  The route to the objective situated at a height of 16,500 feet was snowbound and interspersed with crevasses and sheer falls.  The officer, with just three months service, set about his task with single-minded determination.  The team lead and exhorted by him, moved for over twelve hours along a very difficult and precarious route and under intense artillery shelling to reach the designated spur.  This move took the enemy by complete surprise as his team used cliff assault mountaineering equipment to reach the top with stealth.  On seeing the Ghataks, the enemy panicked and in a desperate firefight, attempted to repulse the Ghataks.  In the ensuring firefight Lieutenant Balwan Singh was himself seriously injured.  However his resolve to finish the enemy remained unshaken.  He refused at be evacuated and unmindful of his injury, moved swiftly to encircle the enemy and engaged them in close combat and single handedly killed four enemy soldiers.  The remaining enemy personnel opted to flee rather than face the fury of the fierce officer.  His inspirational leadership, conspicuous courage and bravery were instrumental in the capture of Tiger Hill, which was operationally one of the most important objectives in the Drass sector during Kargil War.                  

ASHOK CHAKRA

(a)        2^nd LIEUTENANT (Now MAJOR  GENERAL) CA PITHAWALLA, AC 18^TH BATTALION OF THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIFLES - On 29 Jul 1981, Captain CA Pithawalla (now Major General) with a column of 40 other ranks of 17 JAK RIF was ordered to search a hut reportedly harbouring hostiles at Tekcham in Manipur.  Despite being wounded be continued at lead the assault inflicting  casualties on the extremists and apprehended Mr N Sidhewar Singh, the topmost leader of the people’s Liberation Army.  Throughout the operation, Captain CA Pithawalla displayed most conspicuous bravery, undaunted courage, extraordinary and inspiring leadership, unique presence of mind and devotion to duty of exceptional order.

(b)        LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAS RAM SINGH, AC 6^TH BATTALION OF THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES REGIMENT- On 31 October 1968 at 0430hrs, his patrol was fired upon by hostiles in Mizoram.  This lion hearted Officer assaulted the hostile position thereby killing two and wounding up six hostiles and surrender by three hostiles.  By his courageous deed of leading his men, who were trapped in a difficult situation, he set a fine example to his patrol and men.

(c)        MAJOR  JASPBIR SINGH RAINA, AC 10^TH BATTALION OF BRIGADE OF GUARDS- During Operation BLUESTAR, on the night of 5/6 June 1984, D Coy under command of Major JS Raina was tasked too flush out terrorists from a religious place.  Undaunted by the risk to his personal safety and with a resolute determination, he forged ahead to complete the task.  Despite being seriously wounded by a burst of fire, he bravely led and inspired his company to clear the area of terrorists.  Major JS Raina thus displayed the most conspicuous bravery, inspiring courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order. 

(d)        LIEUTENANT COLONEL HARSH UDAY SINGH GAUR, AC (P) 10^H BATTALION OF THE BIHAR REGIMENT - On 29 Nov 1994 Lieutenant  Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur, Commanding Officer, 10 BIHAR was conducting Operation at  village Dazipura,in Baramulla District of Jammu & Kashmir.  While flushing area at 0700 hrs, he alongwith his Quick Reaction Team came under heavy five of AK rifle and Universal Machine Gun from terrorists.  He blocked all escape routes of mercenaries and got down himself neutralizing the fire.  In the ensuing fire fight he killed three mercenaries and crawled forward with a grenade in his hand and lobbed it at the UMG position, killing yet another mercenary.  His grit and strong willed determination to eliminate four terrorists in spite of being critically wounded was an act of courage over and beyond the call of duty.

(e)        COLONEL JOJAN THOMAS, AC (P) 11^H BATTALION OF THE JAT  REGIMENT-  Colonel Jojan Thomas, of  11 JAT  Regiment was serving in Jammu & Kashmir as the Commanding Officer of 45  Rashtriya Rifles. On 22 Aug 2008, at around 0330 hrs, when he was informed of terrorist movement, he rushed to the area with available troops and soon a fierce firefight ensued.  The Colonel eliminated two terrorists from close quarters.  In the process, he sustained severe gunshot wounds.  In spite of this, he engaged a third terrorist in a fierce hand-to-hand fight before eliminating him.  He later succumbed to bullet injuries.  He displayed most conspicuous bravery, inspiring leadership, courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order.

(f)         MAJOR SREERAM KUMAR , AC 39 ASSAM RIFLES/90 MEDIUM REGIMENT-  On 23 Oct 08, at 1730 hrs  after obtaining information regarding presence of 10-15 armed terrorists at village Hingang Heibi Makhong, Imphal East District, Major D Sreeram Kumar reached  the site alongwith his section and laid multiple ambushes on the escape routes of the terrorist.  Around 1830 hrs, the terrorists opened discriminate heavy automatic fire and pinned down his section.  The officer showing exemplary courage and presence of mind engaged the terrorists with accurate fire and killed four of them at point blank range showing utter disregard to his own safety.  He displayed inspirational leadership, conspicuous gallantry act under hostile fire and single handedly eliminated four terrorists.

(g)        LIEUTENANT NAVDEEP SINGH, AC (P) ARMY ORDANCE CORPS / 15^TH MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRTY - On receiving information about the infiltration of a group of terrorists at about 0030 hrs on 20 Aug 2011,  Lieutenant Navdeep Singh gauged the likely route of the terrorists and laid an ambush.  When the terrorists were spotted, leading from the front, the officer eliminated three terrorists at close range. On seeing another terrorist approaching their opposition, the officer swiftly changed his firing position, with utter disregard to his personal safety.  While doing so, he got hit by a bullet on his head.  In spite of that he managed to eliminate the fourth terrorist.  Further, displaying utmost bravery and comradeship, he pulled an injured fellow soldier to safety and kept firing till he became unconscious due to excessive blood loss.  Lieutenant Navdeep Singh displayed indomitable spirit, determination, exceptional bravery and made supreme sacrifice for the Nation

(h)        MAJOR MUKUND VARADARAJAN , AC (P) 44^H BATTALION OF RASHITRIYA  RIFLES ( 22 RAJPUT) - On 25 Apr 2014, Major Mukund Vardarjan led an anti-terrorist search operation at village Shopiyan in Jammu & Kashmir.  During the operation, his team came under heavy fire. The officer responded swiftly and killed three top rank terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen.  However, he was gravely injured during the assault and was evacuated but he attained martyrdom due to injuries.  During the operation, he displayed exemplary leadership skills, courage, planning and swift action. 

1965 OPERATIONS

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

1971 OPERTIONS

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

KARGIL OPERATIONS 1999

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

OP RAKSHAK

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

OP RHINO

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

OP HIFAZAT

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)

OP PARAKRAM

OTA WAR HEROES (KILLED IN ACTION)