President presents 64 defence medals

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today presented gallantry and distinguished service medals to 64 defence personnel.

Twenty-four personnel received Shaurya Chakra-- 13 posthumously, three Kirti Chakras-- all posthumously, 15 Param Vishisht Seva Medals and 22 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals.

Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor was among those who received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

The medals were presented at the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan where Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony, the three service chiefs and other dignitaries were present.

The Kirti Chakra recepients were Cap Vishal Bhandral of Garhwal Rifles, Lt Natarajan Parthiban of 5 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Maj Manish Hiraji Pitambare of 3 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

Cap Bhandral was given the gallantry award for killing two terrorists in a search operation in Jammu and Kashmir on September 26 last year.

Lt Parthiban shot dead two terrorists attempting to cross the Line of Control on the night of October 7 last year.

Maj Pitambare killed a terrorist during a search operation in Anantnag on November 27 last year.

The Border Roads Organisation personnel received four Shaurya Chakras, three of them posthumously.

Those who received the award posthumously were Supdt M Ganesan, Supdt Vijay Raj and Shivaji Singh, Operator Excavating Machinery, Grade-II.

UNI