Gallantry Awards to Army on 26 January 2015 - CITATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHED

Indian Military Veterans

Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh (Posthumous), Ashok Chakra

Based on specific intelligence, Brigade Ghataks launched a Search and Destroy Operation at General area Gurdaji of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on 24 August 2014. At 1025 hours, party noticed movement of few terrorists close to a Dhok, who opened indiscriminate fire on own troops. In the ensuring fire fight, buddy of Naik Neeraj was hit on bullet proof jacket. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Naik Neeraj crawled and extricated his buddy. A terrorist threw grenades and brought heavy fire on Naik Neeraj. In a daring act, he inched closer to the terrorist and shot him dead. Simultaneously, the NCO was attacked by another terrorist resulting in dropping of his Rifle and the terrorist shot him 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 evacuated by helicopter to 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh displayed raw courage and most conspicuous gallantry in personally eliminating two foreign terrorists and sacrificing his own life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Major Mukund Varadarajan (Posthumous), 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RAJPUT REGIMENT) -Announced on 15 Aug 14.

On 25 April 2014, Major Mukund Varadarajan, Company Commander, received information about the presence of three terrorists in village of Shupiyan district of Jammu and Kashmir. This group had targeted polling officials just a day prior. Major Mukund acted swiftly by deploying troops in an effective cordon and simultaneously evacuated civilians from the target house.

Major Mukund personally led the demolition team and used the resources available to him in a critically short time period to bring down the target house. This aggressive action forced the terrorists to shift their position to an outhouse in the compound.

Major Mukund along with his buddy Sepoy Vikram displaying raw courage crawled in proximity to the outhouse. The officer lobbed a grenade inside the cement outhouse killing one terrorist instantaneously. Another terrorist present in the outhouse opened a burst of auto fire thereby seriously injuring Major Mukund. Although bleeding profusely, unmindful of his grave injury the officer crawled ahead, fired and neutralized the second terrorist. The elimination of terrorist avenged the killing of the election officials within 24 hours and restored faith of public in democracy and the Indian Army. Major Mukund Varadarajan was evacuated but succumbed to his injuries.

Maj Mukund Varadarajan exhibited most conspicuous bravery and exemplary leadership and made the supreme sacrifice while fighting with the terrorists.

Capt Jaidev, Kirti Chakra

On the evening of 19 June 2014, 3 Rashtriya Rifles received intelligence about presence of three terrorists in Buts village of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A joint operation of 3 RashtriyaRifles and 10 PARA (SF) was launched. Captain Jaidev swung into action and rushed with a small team of seven to seek a contact.

While deploying, Captain Jaidev saw movement of three suspected terrorists 15 meters ahead, who on being challenged opened indiscriminate fire injuring the officer and his buddy grievously. Seeing that his buddy, who had killed one terrorist, was losing blood fast, the officer dragged him to safety. Undeterred by the injuries in the leg and chest and bleeding profusely, Captain Jaidev in an audacious display of raw courage, displaying conspicuous gallantry and bold fighting spirit, closed in with remaining terrorists under heavy fire and shot them at close quarters. The dying terrorist again fired at Captain Jaidev, injuring him in the face. Despite his near fatal injuries, the officer refused to be evacuated till the termination of operations. In the operation, Captain Jaidev personally neutralised two senior and wanted terrorist commanders.

Captain Jaidev displayed dauntless courage and extraordinary valour under heavy fire from close quarters in face of certain death.

Subedar Ajay Vardhan (Posthumous), Kirti Chakra

Subedar Ajay Vardhan, Platoon Commander of Alpha Company, 14 Garhwal Rifles was deployed at 13000 feet near Line of Control at Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

On 01 December at 2100 hours while leading an operational team, he established contact with infiltrating terrorists at Point 4053. Despite heavy enemy fire, harsh terrain and subzero temperatures, he engaged the terrorists with Light Machine Gun and Rifle fire, and passed crucial information regarding location and strength of terrorists to Battalion Headquarters. Deploying his column tactically, he engaged the terrorists, shooting dead one at close quarters. While administering first aid to a wounded soldier, he observed another wounded member of his team being encircled by two terrorists. With utter disregard to personal safety, he charged at the terrorists, killing the second at point blank range and engaged another thereby saving the wounded soldier. The remaining terrorists charged at him. Despite sustaining multiple gun shots to his head and body, he pulled the wounded soldier to safety, refused evacuation, continued leading his men and attained martyrdom.

Subedar Ajay Vardhan displayed exemplary initiative, camaraderie, conspicuous courage beyond call of duty and outstanding bravery.

Naib Subedar Kosh Bahadur Gurung, Kirti Chakra

Naib Subedar Kosh Bhadur Gurung was leading Ghatak Platoon in an operation located above 12500 feet at general area of Sundarmali of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

A group of heavily armed terrorists attempting infiltration was bringing down effective fire on theGhatak 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 buddies and that the terrorists could escape, the JCO displaying nerves of steel and exceptional field craft crawled through a volley of bullets to close in with terrorists. Realising that only one person could move through the gap between big rocks, he alone tactfully maneuvered to an advantageous position and lobbed grenades and pinned down the terrorists. He then crawled closer up to ten meters and accurately fired through a small gap between rocks to eliminate one terrorist. Now, the second terrorist started firing and pounced on him. With equal ferocity, the JCO pulled out his Khukri and charged at him. A hand to hand fight ensured, when he pushed the terrorist to the ground and killed him.

Naib Subedar Kosh Bahadur Gurung displayed conspicuous gallantry in the face of terrorist fire in highest traditions of Indian Army.

Lieutenant Colonel Sankalp Kumar (Posthumous), Shaurya Chakra

Lieutenant Colonel Sankalp Kumar was Second-in-Command of
24 PUNJAB. Despite being a Battle Casualty, he volunteered to accompany Unit to field and played a pivotal role in operations and intelligence gathering. On 05 December 2014, he was leading a column as part of the operation launched to neutralize the Fidayeen attack on 31 Field Regiment atBaramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

At 0545 hours, he established Stops around Western side of Mahura Gun Area wherein six terrorists sneaked inside and caused casualty to five Other Ranks. At 0550 hours Lt Col SankalpKumar along with Havildar Subhash Chand and Naik Gurmail Singh came under effective fire. The officer retaliated immediately pinning down the terrorists. Thereafter, terrorists 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 who intended to cause more casualties to own troops. In a rare display of dauntless courage he pinned the terrorist with effective fire thereby resulting in his subsequent elimination before making supreme sacrifice of his life.

Lieutenant Colonel Sankalp Kumar displayed conspicuous act of valour and exemplary fortitude in face of terrorist fire.

Major Mukul Sharma, Shaurya Chakra

Major Mukul Sharma was operating in Kashmir Valley since January 2010 and has had a tremendous operational experience. His flair in source handling and conduct of operation is unparalleled. He has led a large number of successful operations resulting into elimination of number of terrorists.

On 07 August 2014, Major Mukul Sharma got information of infiltrators in general area ofGagadari Nar at Tangdhar region of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

At about 1230 hours Major Mukul Sharma noticed movement of three persons. The three infiltrators immediately opened a hail of fire at the officer. Major Mukul Sharma stood his ground and shot down one infiltrator. He then immediately re-deployed his team to prevent other two infiltrators from escaping. The officer showed tactical acumen and presence of mind to engage the infiltrators throughout the night and prevented them from escaping. On the next day, the officer identified the position of the second infiltrator as he was firing indiscriminately at the search party. Sensing grave danger to his own troops, Major Mukul Sharma acted quickly and with utter disregard to personal safety crawled towards the infiltrator and killed him at a point blank range.

Major Mukul Sharma with his vast experience in Counter Insurgency operations controlled the entire operation meticulously which resulted in elimination of the third infiltrator. The gallant action of Major Mukul Sharma led to elimination of three Pakistani infiltrators, dealing a severe blow to them.

. Major Mukul Sharma displayed utter fearlessness in the face of intense firing, conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve and courage beyond the call of duty.

Major Abhijai (Posthumous), Shaurya Chakra

Major Abhijai was nominated as Captain of the Aircraft for Operational readiness consolidation sortie for OPERATION IRON FIST for induction into Operational Area and Battle Inoculation of aviators on 01 October 2014. The aircraft suffered a catastrophic failure of tail rotor while flying over the heavily populated area of village Bhartol and unit lines of 54 Engineer Regiment where a SainikSammelan was in progress at Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft had logged approximately sixty minutes of flying time till then. The aviator, having promptly identified the emergency, exhibited indomitable valor, extreme courage and utter disregard for personal safety by maneuvering the crippled aircraft away from the inhabited area and 54 Engineer Regiment. In the limited time available, the aviator transmitted a distress call to the air traffic control tower and also cut off the fuel supply to the engine in order to minimise the collateral damage. The aviator successfully diverted the aircraft despite the tremendous damage suffered in order to save the lives of his brethren in uniform and populace of village Bhartol. Major Abhijai put the lives of these men ahead of his own and sacrificed himself in the process.

The aviator diverted the aircraft away from the habitation displaying split second reactions despite knowing fully well that it would lead to loss of his own life.

Major Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Shaurya Chakra

On 01 September 2014 at 1800 hours, Major Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Company Commander, received information about the presence of a district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad with two more terrorists in a Village of Pulwama district of Jammu and kashmir. The district Commander ofJaish-e-Mohammad was the mastermind behind targeting of police officials and weapon snatching on 06 June 2014. Major Ashutosh acted swiftly by deploying troops in an effective cordon and evacuated civilians from the target house.

On 02 September 2014 at 0730 hours, after a grueling thirteen hours of intermittent firing, MajorAshutosh along with his buddy Sapper Sanjay Kali displaying raw courage while crawling to close proximity of the target house to clear the house extension, received a burst of fire. The officer using battle craft maneuvered towards the direction of the fire, using cover and showing presence of mind lobbed a grenade inside the window injuring the terrorist. The injured terrorist retaliated with heavy volume of fire. Undeterred by the terrorist fire, the officer crawled, took cover next to the window and with pin point accuracy fired to neutralise one terrorist. The terrorist was later identified of Jaish-e-Mohammad Tanzeem. On seeing the army next to the house wall, the second terrorist from the adjacent room, lobbed a grenade and opened indiscriminate fire on the officer. Displaying utter professionalism, calm composure and nerves of steel, Major Ashutosh charged towards the window, brought down accurate fire at close quarters to eliminate the second terrorist instantaneously. The terrorist was later identified as district Commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad Tanzeem. The elimination of the district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad, who was the mastermind in the weapon snatching incident dealt a body blow to the Jaish-e-Mohammad tanzeem.

Major Ashutosh Kumar Pandey displayed exemplary leadership, courage beyond call of duty, conspicuous gallantry under fire resulting in the elimination of two hardcore Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists.

Major R Vamshi Krishnan, Shaurya Chakra

On 08 June at 1645 hours on receiving intelligence about presence of two terrorists in dense built up area of village Reshipur of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, Major R Vamshi Krishnan immediately set out to cordon the village.

When cordon was being established, two suspicious individuals fled inside the narrow by lanes in immediate vicinity. The officer along with his buddy swiftly outflanked them from opposite direction. Coming face to face with Major R Vamshi Krishnan and his buddy, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on them. The officer and his buddy immediately retaliated and injured one terrorist. Unmindful of personal safety under fire, Major R Vamshi Krishnan, thereafter, closed in using limited cover available and neutralized one terrorist at extreme close quarters. Meanwhile, the second terrorist continued to bring down heavy fire on them. Realising own fire not being effective and sensing danger to own troops, Major R Vamshi Krishnan and his buddy crawled to five meters of terrorist and neutralised him also.

Major R Vamshi Krishnan displayed raw courage, exemplary leadership, tactical acumen with utter disregard to personal safety in eliminating two hardcore terrorists. 

Major Bibhanshu Dhondiyal, Shaurya Chakra

Major Bibhanshu Dhondiyal was commissioned into 5/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) on 12 June 2010 presently performing duties at Eagle I Post, part of Eagle Complex located at approx 14,000 Feet on the Line of Control at Tanghdar district of Jammu and kashmir.

On 19 September 2014, move of four heavily armed terrorists into Eagle Complex was detected. Major Dhondiyal allowed the terrorists to move into the killing area and then re-sited his parties to cut off their escape routes. Sensing their escape routes had been cut off, the terrorists took cover behind a huge rock and opened indiscriminate fire. Realising that no party was effectively able to engage the terrorists, unmindful of his own safety, Major Dhondiyal left cover and crawled nearer to the hiding terrorists. Terrorists saw him inching closer and directed their fire at him. Unmindful of the terrorists’ fire, the officer got up and lobbed a grenade, killing one terrorist. The second terrorist got up and charged towards him. Unflinching, Major Dhondiyal stood his ground and killed him at close range.

Major Bibhanshu Dhondiyal displayed courage beyond the call of duty and utter disregard to own safety in eliminating two terrorists.

Naik Swarup Kumar Ghorai, Shaurya Chakra

Naik Swarup Kumar Ghorai was part of Brigade Ghataks for Search and Destroy Operation in general area Gurdaji of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. A group of terrorists from a Dhoksuddenly brought down heavy volume of fire on his party and fire fight ensued. Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, his party commander got grievously injured. Sensing the danger to his party members and maintaining his calm, Naik Swarup reorganised the party and brought effective fire on terrorists and facilitated evacuation of Naik Neeraj Kumar. Suddenly a terrorist came out from Dhok firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades. Showing absolute presence of mind and raw courage, NaikSwarup inched closer to the terrorist and shot him dead at a close range. With utter disregard to his personal safety, Naik Swarup under heavy volume of terrorist’s fire and covering fire by RiflemanGulam Ahmad Harrey, rushed inside the Dhok in the face of death and shot dead second terrorist in close quarter combat.

Naik Swarup Kumar Ghorai displayed most conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage under fire, and eliminated two hard core foreign terrorists and also facilitated elimination of two more heavily armed terrorists.

Paratrooper Balvinder Singh (Posthumous), Shaurya Chakra

Paratrooper Balvinder Singh was the leading scout of Squad No 3 of Assault Troop positioned at Samba tasked to undertake a Search and Destroy Operation on 27 November 2014 against infiltrated terrorists who were holding out in a fierce gun battle against security forces on KatharWest DCB in Arnia Sector of Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir.

Under covering fire provided by Havildar Pawan Singh, and displaying heroic initiative and exemplary field craft with utter disregard to personal safety, Paratrooper Balvinder Singh stealthily crawled and closed in towards the location of the well concealed terrorist. Sensing danger, the terrorist lobbed two grenades in quick succession and fired bursts from close range towards both Paratrooper Balvinder Singh and Havildar Pawan Singh thereby injuring them. Undeterred despite being grievously wounded and bleeding profusely, the young paratrooper demonstrating unflinching bravery and unvanquishable determination, crawled up stealthily under fire and fired accurate head shots killing the terrorist instantly thus ensuring the safety of his remaining Squad members before attaining martyrdom in the highest traditions of Indian Army.

Paratrooper Balvinder Singh displayed exceptional valour, audacity in face of fire and made the supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty.

Rifleman Manga Ram, Shaurya Chakra

Rifleman Manga Ram during ‘Operation Langtebuk, launched on 09 May 2014 at Karbi Anglongdistrict of Assam, volunteered for Stay Behind Party. On the sixth day, based on a tip off, RiflemanManga Ram acting as scout, guided the team, to the suspected area, maintaining absolute surprise while negotiating difficult terrain. As soon as the party approached the suspected hut after establishing the cordon, the troops were pinned down by effective fire from multiple directions.Realising the grave threat, he, displaying exemplary initiative and sound tactical acumen, acted immediately and while the team leader with his buddy was attempting to neutralize fire from one flank, he crawled amidst heavy fire with utter disregard to his personal safety, closed in and neutralized two terrorists one after the other. Thereafter, without letting go the initiative, he signaled his buddy to tackle another terrorist and provided him with intimate fire support. The overall operation resulted in elimination of six terrorists and recovery of huge war like stores.

Rifleman Manga Ram displayed gallantry in number of operations and placed himself in extreme danger, for safety of his colleagues in the highest traditions of Indian Army.

Click here to see Photos