Ashok Chakra likely for Ombale, Unnikrishnan, Gajendra Singh

NEW DELHI: The government plans to honour the heroism of uniformed personnel during the Mumbai attacks by conferring India's highest peace time bravery award, the Ashok Chakra, on Mumbai police ASI Tukaram Ombale and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajendra Singh of the NSG.

The Republic Day awards file is still shuttling between the defence ministry, home affairs and PMO. Sources said it was not clear whether senior Mumbai cops Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar would be awarded Ashok or Kirti Chakras. They took a difficult and brave decision in venturing into an area where they knew terrorists were hiding and even as they came under a hail of bullets, Kamte returned fire, injuring one of the terrorists.

Ombale's case is cited as an act of extraordinary courage as he grappled with armed terrorists and took five bullets while helping to nab Ajmal Kasab.

LEAGUE OF HONOUR

Mumbai police ASI Tukaram Ombale, NSG's Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajendra Singh likely to get Ashok Chakras.

Senior Mumbai cops Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte & Vijay Salaskar may get Ashok or Kirti Chakras.

Delhi Police inspector M C Sharma likely to be awarded Shaurya Chakra.

Olympics gold medalist Abhinav Bindra likely to get one of the Padma awards.