Kirti Chakra for five security personnel

NEW DELHI: Five security force personnel, including two Army men who sacrificed their lives during counter terror operations, have been awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peace-time gallantry honour.

President Ram Nath Kovind approved a total of 112 gallantry awards for defence and paramilitary personnel for their sacrifices to the nation, on the eve of India’s 71st Independence Day. Other gallantry awards include 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals, three Nao Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals.

Havilder Giris Gurung of the Gorkha Rifles, Major David Manlun of the Naga Regiment and Pramod Kumar, Commandant of 49 BN of CRPF, were chosen for Kirti Chakra posthumously. Major Preetam Singh Kunnwar of the Garwal Rifles and Chetan Kumar Cheeta, a senior officer in the CRPF too were selected for the honour.

On May 20, Havilder Gurung was killed during a counter-terror operation in Kupwara. Despite being grievously injured, he charged at a terrorist and fired at him displaying extreme courage. Major Manlun was killed during an encounter with militants in Mon district of Nagaland on June 6. Major Kunnwar showed grit during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir on May 25, killing three dreaded terrorists and CRPF commandant Cheeta slipped into deep coma after being hit by bullets during a gun fight with terrorists in J&K early this year.

Addressing the armed forces in his radio broadcast, defence minister Arun Jaitley said “the nation now looks to you to defend its borders with all your might”.