In a first, Manipur soldier gets Shaurya Chakra for foiling drone attack

New Delhi: In a first, an army soldier has been awarded a gallantry medal for combat involving an armed drone strike by insurgents, highlighting the increasing use of unmanned systems by non-state actors.

Naib Subedar Shankar Ram was awarded a Shaurya Chakra for his actions in November last year in Imphal East district, when his post came under heavy fire from insurgents. The gallantry award was conferred on the eve of Independence Day.

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According to the gallantry citation, Ram was injured while returning fire with a medium machine gun, causing critical injuries to six insurgents. He also spotted an armed drone launched by the attacking party.

"Displaying exceptional presence of mind, he detected a hostile bomb-laden drone and immediately alerted troops thereby averted own casualties," the gallantry citation said.

While there have been reports of terrorists using drones for surveillance, mapping infiltration routes and dropping supplies and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, attack drones have so far only been used by non-state actors in Manipur.

There have been numerous incidents of Pakistan-based actors using drones to drop guns, ammunition and drugs across the international border in Punjab and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

A detailed investigation by the National Investigation Agency into the use of armed drones in Manipur found that parts for commercial drones were supplied by dealers in Delhi and Haryana, with insurgents riggGallantry Medal announced for 13 Fire Brigade personnel who rescued stranded Monorail passengersing them with explosives for attacks.

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There is, however, an increasing danger of Indian troops involved in counter-insurgency operations being targeted by drone warfare, given its low cost and simplicity of use. The armed forces have been procuring anti-drone systems in large numbers, but these are primarily for protecting fixed positions and vulnerable areas.