KIRTI CHAKRA 3007678Y SEPOY VRAHMA PAL SINGH THE RAJPUT REGIMENT / 44TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS) 06 NOVEMBER 2017 In November 2017, a cordon & search operation was launched in Algar village, South kashmir in Jammu and Kashmir on input of presence of three terrorists. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh was deployed in inner cordon as part of Combat Action Team under Captain Kaninder Paul Singh. On positive identification of complex of target houses, and having readjusted the cordon, a search team including Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh was formulated. Considering his tactical & professional excellence he was made part of entry team. Having cleared two houses Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh alongwith his buddy moved ahead to clear the adjacent cowshed. Upon entering the completely dark cowshed as Entryman Number 1, he came under heavy effective fire from the cowshed from three different directions. Unmindful of his personal safety, he retaliated immediately. All three terrorists started aimed firing at Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh in a bid to overpower him. In a single handed gallant action displayed by Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh, he provided cover fire and afforded opportunity to his buddy Rifleman Aurangzab to extricate himself not only out of cowshed, but also kept the three terrorists engaged thus prevented their escape out of cowshed. This also resulted in gaining of time to readjust the cordon by Captain Kaninder Paul Singh. In the ensuing firefight, he sustained bullet injuries on his chest and legs. Despite being grievously wounded and numerically overwhelmed by terrorists Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh continued dominating and engaging the terrorists, which led to neutralization of one terrorist and injuring of another. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh in the highest traditions of Army, made supreme sacrifice for the nation. For displaying heroic action, indomitable spirit, exceptional bravery, camaraderie, espirit-de- corps, leading to saving the life of his buddy and neutralization of two hardcore terrorists of Pakistan and injuring of another terrorist by making supreme sacrifice for the nation in line with highest traditions of Indian Army, Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh has been awarded „KIRTI CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)‟. SHAURYA CHAKRA IC-62648Y LIEUTENANT COLONEL ARJUN SHARMA 6TH BATTALION THE JAT REGIMENT 27 MARCH 2018 Based on intelligence inputs, regarding presence of four foreign terrorists in an village in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir an operation was launched in March 2018. Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Sharma was entrusted the responsibility for Cordon and Search. During search, four terrorists were seen running towards a Nala. Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Sharma with utter disregard to personal safety, leading from the front, jumped into the Nala and chased the terrorists boldly, and established contact. The terrorists opened heavy fire and lobbed grenades on the Officer at closed range. Displaying uncommon valour and exceptional leadership, the officer eliminated the first terrorist at eight meters. He reoriented the close cordon ensuring the terrorists remain trapped. At approximately 1000 hours the terrorists tried to escape however the officer immediately engaged and eliminated the second terrorist. Subsequently the terrorists were engaged with grenades and small arms fire leading to elimination of four foreign terrorists. Four AK-47 rifles, ammunition and explosives were recovered thus preventing a major terrorist strike. In view of the exemplary leadership, swift action, outstanding valour, with complete disregard to personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Sharma has been awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA”. SHAURYA CHAKRA IC-76179M MAJOR PAWAN GAUTAM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS / 44TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES 31 MAR 2018 Major Pawan Gautam is a highly daring and dedicated officer. He created effective intelligence network in his area of responsibility in Jammu and Kashmir. With his ingenuity and relentless effort and by breaking into network of Over Ground Workers, the officer generated specific intelligence resulting in elimination of seven hardcore terrorists. On 31 March 2018, on receipt of input about presence of terrorists in a village in Shopian, Maj Pawan Gautam displaying tactical acumen of highest order, meticulously planned and established a fool proof cordon with stealth and surprise. He alongwith his buddy Rifleman Mohd Maroof tactically approached the target house but suddenly came under heavy volume of terrorist fire from the house. Two terrorists came out firing indiscriminately trying to break the cordon and also lobbed hand grenades on them, thus injuring Rfn Mohd Maroof. Maj Pawan Gautam displaying raw courage under heavy fire, retaliated and neutralised one terrorist and rescued his injured buddy. The second terrorist took position and brought down heavy volume of fire on the officer and lobbed hand grenades on him. Simultaneously, other terrorists in the house also opened fire on officer and his party. With total disregard to personal safety, displaying nerves of steel under heavy indiscriminate terrorist fire, the officer crawled towards the hiding terrorist and neutralised him from very close range and caused injuries to other terrorists. Two terrorist were neutralised by the officer, in addition five more terrorists were neutralised during this operation. For displaying exemplary leadership, raw courage and conspicuous gallantry beyond call of duty resulting in elimination of a total of seven hardcore terrorists, Major Pawan Gautam has been awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA”. SHAURYA CHAKRA IC-76811Y MAJOR ADITYA KUMAR 10TH BATTALION THE GARHWAL RIFLES 30 NOVEMBER 2017 Ever since deployment in Jammu and Kashmir, Major Aditya Kumar has been involved in eastablishing a highly effective intelligence network and cultivation of sources for obtaining real time intelligence. In November 2017, on receipt of information about presence of four terrorists in Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir, the officer displayed high degree of professional acumen in galvanizing his team into action. Using his thorough knowledge of the terrain he established an initial cordon without loss of surprise. This initial action helped localise the terrorists move and restricted them to the target house. During the ensuing gunfight, the officer coordinated firing of all weapons on the house to create a breach thereby injuring the terrorists inside. With utter disregard to his personal safety he moved closer to one such breach and brought down accurate fire on one of the foreign terrorists, neutralizing him from close quarters. The officer displayed raw courage and excellent presence of mind in moving close to another terrorist firing from window of the house and neutralizing him. For displaying meticulous planning and gallant action, Major Aditya Kumar has been awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA”. SHAURYA CHAKRA SS-43745F MAJOR PAWAN KUMAR THE JAT REGIMENT / 34TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES 26 SEPTEMBER 2017 Major Pawan Kumar displayed astute tactical acumen, indomitable spirit and raw courage which led to elimination of a hardore terrorist in Uri Sector in September 2017. A top terrorist whilst infiltrating from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir by taking cover of darkness, thick foliage, boulders and folds of the ground was effectively engaging own troops with accurate fire. The terrorist because of the folds could not be engaged directly. Major Pawan realising the gravity of situation and danger to safety of own troops, undaunted by heavy volumes of fire, displaying raw courage in the face of enemy used folds of the ground to crawl towards the terrorist and closed in the distance. He lobbed a grenade at the terrorist forcing him to expose himself and in a fierce encounter shot him dead from a close quarter. His elimination not only saved lives of own troops but also prevented revival of terrorism in the valley. For displaying perseverance, dedication to duty, unmatched bravery and display of raw courage in the face of the enemy, Major Pawan Kumar has been awarded “SHAURYA CHAKRA”. SHAURYA CHAKRA IC-78575F CAPTAIN KANINDER PAUL SINGH THE RAJPUT REGIMENT / 44TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES 09 OCTOBER 2017 In October 2017, on receipt of input of presence of three terrorists in a village in South Kashmir of Jammu and Kashmir, IC- 78575F Captain Kaninder Paul Singh, Ghatak Platoon Commander immediately launched to cordon the village. Captain Kaninder Paul Singh quickly & effectively laid the cordon of the target houses. While readjusting the cordon, he was informed of suspicious movement from one of the house, which was challenged by the officer. His challenge was returned with heavy retaliation of fire from the terrorists. In a swift action, displaying raw courage and putting himself in mortal danger, the officer maneuvered closer to the terrorist to engage him at close quarter and eliminated one hardcore terrorist, later identified as a Category „A‟. Again in March 2018, based on specific input of presence of large group of terrorists, a cordon was laid in a village of South Kashmir. The terrorists having trapped in the cordon started indiscriminate heavy fire and tried to break the cordon. Captain Kaninder alongwith his buddy Sep Vijay Singh Gurjar moved forward and immediately brought accurate fire on the terrorists. The terrorists brought down heavy small arms fire and lobbed hand grenades towards the officer and his buddy. Unmindful of his personal safety, the officer advanced towards the terrorists under heavy volume of small arms fire and hand grenades by terrorists and neutralised one terrorist.