Nineteen soldiers of the 4 and 9 Para, the special forces’ units which undertook the daring cross-border surgical strike across LoC, have been awarded gallantry medals, including a Kirti Chakra, while their commanding officers have been given Yudh Sewa Medal. Major Rohit Suri of 4 Para, who led one of the teams across the LoC targeting terrorists’ launch pads, was awarded the Kirti Chakra, second highest peacetime gallantry award, on the eve of the Republic Day. Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of the Gorkha Rifles got the Kirti Chakra posthumously. The award is the wartime equivalent of the Vishisht Seva Medal, which is a decoration for peace time distinguished service. Five personnel from the two para units also got Shaurya Chakra while 13 got Sena Medal (Gallantry).

Source: Hindustan Times January 25, 2017 14:59 UTC