New Delhi: Keralite Lt Col Niranjan E.K., who was killed during the Pathankot attack earlier this year, will be conferred with military gallantry award 'Shaurya Chakra' for his role in eliminating the terrorists.
Ahead of the Independence Day, president Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday approved 82 gallantry awards to armed forces personnel and members of paramilitary forces. The awards include one Ashok Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 63 Sena Medals, two Nau Sena Medals and two Vayu Sena Medals.
Palakkad native Niranjan is survived by his wife Radhika and daughter Vismaya.
NSG had said it lost the experienced and brilliant counter-IED officer to a deadly booby trap as the terrorists had used an innovative technique whose antidote was not included in the Standard Operating Procedure of the 'black cat' commandos force.
Niranjan's lungs got punctured due to the impact of the blast of a grenade that was kept in the pocket of a slain terrorist and the officer died before being taken to hospital.
The Pathankot attack that took place on the intervening night of January 1-2 claimed the lives of seven security personnel, while four terrorists were killed by NSG and other security personnel.
Visisht Seva Medal for Jacob Thomas
Kerala vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) chief Jacob Thomas has won the President's Vishisht Seva Medal. Nine other officials from the state have been chosen for police medals, in recognition of their distinguished service to the police force. Malabar Special Police (MSP) deputy commandant Kurikesh also won an award.
Ashok Chakra for armyman who killed 3 terrorists
President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, has conferred Ashok Chakra (posthumously) on Havildar Hangpan Dada of the 35th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, it was announced.
Havildar Hangpan Dada showed exemplary courage and gallantry during an encounter on May 26 with a group of terrorists in the Naugam Sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir and killed three of them before attaining martyrdom, an official release said.
Havildar Dada, along with his section, was tasked to chase and trap the fleeing terrorists in the inhospitable snowbound terrain. Moving quickly, Dada blocked the escape route of the terrorists.
In the ensuing gunfight, he displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists though he himself was grievously injured.
Undeterred, Dada 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 laying down his life.
(With agency inputs)
