The gallantry awards approved by the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Havildar Hangpan Dada, who sacrificed his life while valiantly fighting and killing three terrorists after they infiltrated from PoK, and Pathankot bravehearts Lt Col Niranjan and Corporal Gurusevak Singh are among the 82 defence and paramilitary personnel for whom President Pranab Mukherjee today approved gallantry awards.
Navy sailor Veer Singh, who retrieved under difficult circumstances two bodies from the Dornier aircraft of the force that had crashed last year off Goa, has also been chosen for the gallantry award Nao Sena Medal along with Lt Commander Vikash Kumar Narwal.
Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar and Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey have been selected for Vayu Sena Medal.
Indian Coast Guard's Commandant Radhakrishna Rajesh Nambiraj and Kuldeep Pradhan Yantrik will receive Tatrakshak Medal.
The gallantry awards approved by the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, include one Ashok Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals.
The Army got one Ashok Chakra (Posthumous), 11 Shaurya Chakras (including 6 posthumous) and 63 Sena Medal, including 12 posthumous.
Havildar Hangpan Dada, a former commando and fondly called Dada (big brother) by his colleagues and friends, was awarded Ashoka Chakra, the highest award to an Army man during peace-time operations.
On May 26 this year, Havildar Hangpan Dada, having shot three terrorists, took a burst from the fourth. When terrorists managed to break contact with Army stops at Naugam Sector in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, he along with his section was tasked to chase and trap fleeing terrorists, his citation read.
Displaying ingenuity and understanding of ground, the ex-commando moved with incredible speed in the inhospitable snow-bound high altitude terrain.
This move blocked the escape route of the terrorists and in the ensuing firefight, when his section was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire, he moved to a flank and closed in with the terrorists sheltered in rocks and boulders, resulting in saving lives of his comrades, his citation read.
Dada displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists at close quarters. In the exchange of fire, he was grievously injured. Undeterred, the NCO went after the remaining terrorists. In the process, he came face to face with the third terrorist whom he killed in hand-to-hand combat before making the supreme sacrifice.
Born in Village Borduria, District Tirap, Arunanchal Pradesh on October 2, 1979, Dada was recruited to the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment on October 28 1997.
On January 24, 2008 he was side stepped to the 4th Battalion of the Assam Regiment where he served till the last.
The gallant soldier is survived by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada, an employee of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and their two children aged 7 and 11 years.
From leading a patrol to leading a church service at the post, Dada always led from the front. During testing times, when threat of militants would loom large on his patrol, negotiating steep slopes in sub-zero temperatures with 20-feet-deep snow, Dada would silently slip into the role of scout and lead the entire patrol safely back to the base, the Army said.
He had that unique ability to raise his platoon's spirits when the chips were down. He feared God and was the voice of wisdom amongst his folks. His Sunday sermons were heavily subscribed and he was an epitome of the humane soldier that insurgency environments require.
Pathankot bravehearts Lt Col Niranjan and Corporal Singh, who gave up their life countering terrorists from Pakistan who had attacked the IAF base, were also recognised for their bravery with gallantry awards.
Lt Col Niranjan, a member of the NSG's Bomb Disposal Squad, was killed while he was defusing a grenade at the scene of the terror attack.
Corporal Singh was the first to challenge the terrorists at the Pathankot airbase and was killed in action.
The President has also awarded 28 Mention-in-Despatches to Army and para military personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include five for 'Operation Meghdoot', 22 for 'Operation Rakshak' and one for 'Operation Rhino'.
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