Two Kashmiri soldiers get Shaurya Chakra

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) Two soldiers from Jammu and Kashmir today received the Shaurya Chakra -- one of them posthumously -- for displaying indomitable courage, unflinching grit and professional acumen in fighting militants in the strife-torn state.

Rifleman Abdul Hamid Chara of 162 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army (Home and Hearth), Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) and attached with 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) received the gallantry award posthumously.

On June 12 last year, Hamid Chara was a part of a stop in search and destroy operation in general area of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir.

At 1330 hours, he observed two militants attempting to flee the target area, and moved quickly under dense undergrowth to cut off the escape route.

The militants spotted him and brought down heavy fire on him, causing multiple gunshot injuries. Undaunted, he continued the battle and killed one militants before succumbing to injuries.

The other soldier from Kashmir, Rifleman Rais Ahmad Ganai of JAKLI and attached with 50 RR, also received the Shaurya Chakra.

Based on specific information, a cordon and search operation was launched by a RR battalion on February 13 last year in a village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.

At 1815 hrs, suspicious movement was noticed near the village.

The leading scout, Rifleman Ganai, challenged the two militants.

Immediately, the party came under intense and effective fire from the militants, resulting in intense firefight.

Displaying exceptional courage, he charged at and killed one militant instantly. The other militant lobbed grenades and fired at him.

Undeterred, Ganai charged at the militant and killed him too at point blank range.

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