Republic Day: Ashok Chakra for braveheart cop who died fighting Maoists

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award, to Sub-Inspector K Prasad Babu of Andhra Pradesh's counter-Maoist force as India celebrated its 65th Republic Day today.

Mr Babu was honoured for an anti-Naxal operation during which he led an assault unit of Greyhounds (anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh) near Andhra-Chhattisgarh border. He played a key role in neutralising nine Maoists and the next day helped resuce four commandos from a Maoist attack. His father accepted the award from the President this morning. (Watch)

Wing Commander Darryl Castelino was the other gallantry award winner at the ceremony today. Wing Commander Castelino was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his contribution in saving the lives of stranded pilgrims in Kedarnath in the hours following the massive floods and disaster in the valley in June last year.

Naib Subedar Bhupal Singh Chhantel or the Gorkha Rifles too received the Kirti Chakra.

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Marching down from Raisina Hills in central Delhi to the historic Mughal monument of Red Fort, today's Republic Day parade showcased India's 'unity in diversity' and defence capabilities as thousands of spectators cheered the contingents and the mechanised columns along the 8-km-long route. (Read)

Among the proud highlights today was India's first indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.

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The march past was watched by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the chief guest of the Republic Day celebration, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the country's top political and military elite, besides diplomats from around the world. (See pics)