In a defence investiture ceremony on May 9, 2023, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Droupadi Murmu, the current President of India conferred eight Kirti Chakras including five posthumously to the personnel of the Army, Paramilitary and Police Forces. for their indomitable courage and exemplary valour in the line of duty.
She also conferred 29 Shaurya Chakras including five posthumously to the armed forces personnel Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State/Union Territory police forces. the defence ministry said in a statement.
Constable/GD Sudip Sarkar of the Border Security Force (BSF), Rohit Kumar, Sg Constable (J&K Police) and three personnel which include one sub-inspector and two head constables, Chhattisgarh government have been awarded Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award.
Three personnel including an officer (Major rank) of the Rashtriya Rifles have been given the Kirti Chakra, the ministry said.
The Twitter Handle of the Rashtrapati Bhavan shared pictures from the ceremony.
“President Droupadi Murmu presents Kirti Chakra to Major Shubhang, Dogra Regiment, 62 Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles.” He showed extraordinary valour despite sustaining a gunshot wound and eliminated a terrorist during an operation in Budgam, (J&K).” it tweeted.
“President Droupadi Murmu presents Kirti Chakra to Shri Shrawan Kashyap, head constable of the Chhattisgarh (posthumous). He displayed extraordinary courage and made a supreme sacrifice for the nation while fighting and killing Naxals during an operation in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.”
Among the Shaurya Chakra (posthumous) awardees is Rifleman Aurangzeb, of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), 44th Battalion, the Rashtriya Rifles. This award of Shaurya Chakra(posthumous) was announced on Independence Day in 2018.
Sepoy Karn Veer Singh (Rajput Regiment) and Gunner Jasbir Singh (Regiment of Artillery), both from Rashtriya Rifles, are among those who have been posthumously conferred the Shaurya Chakra.
The other two bravehearts to have been conferred this award posthumously are Constable Mudasir Ahmed Shaikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Baramulla) and Naik Jasbir Singh, 6th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the statement said.
According to the statement, a Group of Personnel from the Army, Navy and Airforce and those rendering service under the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been conferred Shaurya Chakra.
The ministry said that the gallantry awards were given for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage, and extreme devotion to duty. The Shaurya Chakra is India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashok and Kirti Chakra.
