9 Indian Army soldiers decorated with gallantry awards for surgical strikes across LoC

Nine soldiers of the Indian Army who participated in surgical strikes at terror launch pads across in the Line of Control (LoC) were decorated with gallantry medals on Thursday at Northern Command headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.

Along with nine soldiers, 99 more Army personnel were decorated with gallantry medals.

The citation read out during the award presentation ceremony said, “Naib Subedar Vipin Chandra, Havaldars Rankesh Chandra, Shuru Chaken and Dalip Kumar, Naik Yogesh Kumar and Paratrooper Iqbal Singh were instrumental in destroying the launching pads’ on September 16 last year.”

The citation further said that Paratrooper Om Prakash facilitated strike team by engaging the guards to destroy the launch pads.

#IndianArmy #ArmyCdrNC presents gallantry , distinguished awards & unit appreciation during investiture ceremony in Udhampur @adgpi pic.twitter.com/1YcJnPgxzX

— NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) September 7, 2017

During the ceremony it was also announced that two soldiers — Paratrooper Devash Kumar and Havaldar K Ati — were not only instrumental in destroying the of launch pads but also killed one militant each.

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One Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, two Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 76 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 10 Sena Medals(Distinguished Service) and 17 Vishisht Seva Medals were given away at an investiture ceremony were presented by Northern Army commander Lt Gen D Anbu.

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Four Jammu and Kashmir police personnel were honoured during the ceremony for their acts of gallantry and devotion.

The Army Commander awarded 14 civilians with Certificate of Appreciation and cash awards for their yeoman service.

(With PTI inputs)