President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred one Kirti Chakra and 11 Shaurya Chakra awards on armed forces personnel, three of them posthumously, for gallantry.
The awards were given for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty at a solemn ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
The President also conferred 14 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 26 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals on senior officers of the armed forces for distinguished service of an exceptional order.
The awards were given at a Defence Investiture Ceremony, attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar among others.
The Kirti Chakra was given to Captain Jaidev of Parachute Regiment, posted at 3rd Battalion Rashtriya Rifles, for displaying dauntless courage and extraordinary valour under heavy fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on June 19 last year while tackling three terrorists.
Jaidev, despite injuries in the leg, chest and face, killed two wanted terrorist commanders and refused to be evacuated till the operation was completed.
Subedar Prakash Chand was given Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for his brave act in tackling an infiltration bid at the LoC on October 28, 2013.
Lieutenant Commander Manoranjan Kumar was given the award posthumous for saving the life of 94 crew members on board submarine INS Sindhuratna on February 26 last year.
Major Abhijai of Corps of Engineers was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously for diverting a malfunctioning aircraft he was flying from civilian and military area in Uttar Pradesh on October 1, 2014 and sacrificing his life in the process.