Prez gives gallantry, distinguished Svc awards to Def personnel

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today presented five Kirti Chakras and 23 Shaurya Chakras to army, para-military and police personnel, and civilians for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty.

Three army personnel -- two of them posthumously -- were awarded Kirti Chakras while 18 others -- eight of them posthumously -- were given Shaurya Chakras for their gallantry acts while on internal security duties in Jammu and Kashmir and the country's NorthEast.

Kirti Chakras were given posthumously to the next-of-kin of Col Gurbir Singh Sarna and Maj James Thomas.

Col GS Sarna was commanding the 29 Rashtriya Rifles when he was martyred in a gallant action against militants in Pattan District (J&K) last December 23.

Maj James Thomas, of the 10 Sikh Light Infantry, laid down his life fighting the militants in Poonch District (J&K) on January 28 last year.

Shaurya Chakras were given posthumously to the next-of-kin of Lt Col Vinay Rao Chauhan, Capt Shashi Bhushan Singh, Naib Subedar Raj Bahadur, CHM Sarabjit Singh, Naik Gurjant Singh, Sepoy Satnam Singh, Rifleman HB Singh and Gunner Ranjeet Singh.

All those awarded the Shaurya Chakras posthumously lost their lives in J and K except Rifleman HB Singh, of 7 Assam Rifles, who laid down his life in the NorthEast.

A Central Industrial Security Force personnel and a fireman from Uttar Pradesh were also awarded Kirti Chakras while two police personnel and three brave civilians were awarded Shaurya Chakras at a function in the glittering Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The President also conferred 12 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 29 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals to senior officers of the armed forces for distinguished service of exceptional order.

Among awardees was Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Aditya Singh was the seniormost who received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. Other PVSM awardees were Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, DGDS, Lt Gen RK Mehta, Military Advisor in the UN HQ at New York, and Surgeon Vice Admiral (Retired) Punita Arora.

UNI