Gallantry Awards 2021: List of Awardees

Name of the Winner

Description

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman

President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Vir Chakra to Indian Air Force Pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who destroyed a Pakistan F-6 jet in Balakot. On 27th February, a day after the Balakot airstrike, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter plane during aerial combat.

Havildar Tejinder Singh

President Kovind bestows the Vir Chakra upon Havildar Tejinder Singh of the 3 Medium Regiment. In the face of the enemy, he demonstrated selfless commitment & unflinching leadership in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Sepoy Gurtej Singh

President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Havildar K Palani, 81 Field Regiment (Posthumous). He showed courage and bravery in the face of the enemy and made supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Naik Deepak Singh

President Kovind awards the Vir Chakra to Naik Deepak Singh of the 16^th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (Posthumous). He demonstrated unrivalled professionalism in unwavering devotion, hostile conditions, and supreme sacrifice for the country.

Havildar K Palani

President Kovind confers the Vir Chakra on Havildar K Palani of the 81 Field Regiment (Posthumous). He exhibited courage and bravery in the face of the enemy as well as made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the nation.

Naib Subedar Naduram Soren

President Kovind confers the Vir Chakra on Naib Subedar Naduram Soren of the 16th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (Posthumous). In the face of the enemy, he demonstrated determined courage & conspicuous gallantry, and also he made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Name of the Winner

Description

Sapper Prakash Jadhav 

President Kovind bestowed the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, the Kirti Chakra, on Sapper Prakash Jadhav of the Corps of Engineers (posthumously). In an operation in Jammu & Kashmir, Sapper Jadhav neutralised terrorists. Sapper Prakash Jadhav's mother and wife received the Kirti Chakra.

Shri Harshpal Singh   

President Kovind bestows the Kirti Chakra on Shri Harshpal Singh, Deputy Commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force. During an operation, he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, raw grit, as well as moral courage by risking his own life to safeguard his troops as well as the local populace.

Subedar Sanjiv Kumar

Subedar Sanjiv Kumar of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) receives the Kirti Chakra from President Ram Nath Kovind (Posthumous). In eliminating one terrorist, injuring two terrorists, and evacuating his injured scout, he demonstrated outstanding raw courage, leadership qualities, and utmost gallantry.

Name of the Winner

Description

Naib Subedar Sombir

President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Shaurya Chakra to Naib Subedar Sombir (posthumously) for assassinating an A++ category terrorist during an operation in Jammu & Kashmir. Naib Subedar Sombir's mother and wife accepted the award.

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal received the Shaurya Chakra as well (posthumously). Major Dhoundiyal was instrumental in an operation in which forces nullified five terrorists and recovered 200 kg of explosive material. Major Dhoundiyal was killed in a shootout with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, in February 2019. Major Dhoundiyal's wife, Lieutenant Nitika Kaul, as well as mother, Saroj Dhoundiyal, accepted the award.

Sub-Inspector, Imran Hussain Tak

President Kovind bestowed the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) on Jammu & Kashmir sub-inspector Imran Hussain Tak. Gulnaaz Akhtar, his wife, accepted the award on his behalf.

Sepoy Hari Singh

Sepoy Hari Singh of the 55^th Rashtriya Rifles was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for killing a terrorist & injuring another in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, in 2019.

Lance Naik Sandeep Singh

President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) to Lance Naik Sandeep Singh for assassinating one foreign terrorist & injuring two others during an operation in Jammu & Kashmir in the year 2018.

Rifleman Ajveer Singh Chauhan

Rifleman Ajveer Singh Chauhan has bestowed the Shaurya Chakra for displaying raw courage, presence of mind, as well as eliminating two terrorists on 18^th August 2018 in Jammu & Kashmir.

Challapilla Narasimha Rao

Challapilla Narasimha Rao bestowed the Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) on him for his gallantry in ensuring the safety of lives as well as safeguarding the larger interests of the Energy Maharatna ONGC.

Constable Sable Dnyaneshwar Shriram

Shri Sable Dnyaneshwar Shriram, Constable, 53 BN CRPF, Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Kovind. In keeping with the highest traditions of the CRPF, he displayed exemplary raw grit, bravery, and extraordinary commitment to duty in the face of extreme adversity.

Head Constable Subash Chander

President Ram Nath Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra on Shri Subash Chander, Head Constable of the Jammu & Kashmir Police. He displayed extreme bravery & eliminated two Pakistani terrorists while protecting the lives of four civilians in a dangerous situation.

Constable Zaker Hussain

President Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra on CRPF Constable Zaker Hussain. He fought alongside his commander, like a true soldier as well as a battle-mate, without regard for his own life. He exhibited exemplary bravery in keeping with the force's highest traditions.

Rifleman Ajveer Singh Chauhan

President Ram Nath Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Rifleman Ajveer Singh Chauhan of the Garhwal Rifles' 6^th Battalion. He demonstrated the presence of mind, raw courage, and complete disregard for personal safety in order to neutralise two terrorists and successfully end the infiltration bid in Jammu & Kashmir.

Sepoy Karmdeo Oraon

Sepoy Karmdeo Oraon of the 8th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Kovind. In the pursuit of operational tasks, he displayed astounding gallantry & unflinching bravery. His valiant actions resulted in the apprehension & execution of two terrorists.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar

President Ram Nath Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra upon Shri Aman Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Posthumous). In fighting with the terrorists, he displayed exceptional as well as conspicuous bravery, raw courage, utmost dedication and also a commitment to duty, and made the supreme sacrifice for the country.

Kamal Kishore

Shri Kamal Kishore receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Kovind (Posthumous). In fighting with the terrorists, he demonstrated exceptional bravery, utmost dedication, and also the commitment to duty, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Special Police Official Ashiq Hussain Malik

President Ram Nath Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Shri Ashiq Hussain Malik (Posthumous), Special Police Officer, Jammu and Kashmir. In fighting terrorists, he displayed exceptional and also conspicuous bravery, raw courage, as well as dedication to duty, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Sepoy Brajesh Kumar

President Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Sepoy Brajesh Kumar of the 22^nd Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous). He displayed unwavering courage and unflinching bravery above & beyond the call of duty in eliminating a Pakistani terrorist as well as making the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Amit Singh Rana

President Ram Nath Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra on Amit Singh Rana, LME. He exhibited tactical acumen, exemplary courage, and gallantry of the highest order, and played a critical role in the elimination of eight terrorists in two back-to-back operations.

Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey

President Ram Nath Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey of the Rashtriya Rifles. He demonstrated exemplary initiative, an unbreakable spirit, mental fortitude, and unrivalled bravery in the capture of a terrorist in a village in Jammu & Kashmir.

Naib Subedar Narender Singh

President Ram Nath Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra upon Naib Subedar Narender Singh of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). In combat, he displayed outstanding gallantry, tactical acumen, and leadership. His actions thwarted an attempt to target Indian posts.

Lt. Colonel Jyoti Lama

President Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra on Lt. Colonel Jyoti Lama of the 37^th Battalion of the Assam Rifles. He demonstrated daring leadership as well as conspicuous gallantry, resulting in the capture of two terrorists.

Naik Naresh Kumar

President Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Naik Naresh Kumar of the 42^nd Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles. In eliminating a terrorist in a village in Jammu & Kashmir, he demonstrated tremendous conviction & perseverance.

Major Konjengbam Bijendra Singh

Major Konjengbam Bijendra Singh of the Assam Rifles receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Ram Nath Kovind. In the face of the grave & imminent danger, he displayed conspicuous bravery as well as strong leadership by going above & beyond the call of duty. His audacity resulted in the death of two militants.

Captain Maheshkumar Bhure

Captain Maheshkumar Bhure of the Rashtriya Rifles receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Kovind. He was in charge of a team that killed six top terrorist commanders. In the face of adversity, he demonstrated exemplary leadership and unrivalled bravery.

Lt. Colonel Ajay Singh Kushwah

President Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Lt. Colonel Ajay Singh Kushwah of the Rashtriya Rifles' 3^rd Battalion. He demonstrated exceptional tactical acumen, fearless courage, and sterling leadership qualities, which resulted in the elimination of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Wing Commander Vishak Nair

President Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra upon Wing Commander Vishak Nair of the Indian Air Force (Pilot). He displayed exceptional gallantry, high-level professionalism, and bravery in the face of adversity.

Rifleman Pranab Jyoti Das

President Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Rifleman Pranab Jyoti Das of the Assam Rifles' 6^th Battalion. He demonstrated a ferocious and unrivalled fighting spirit by neutralizing two insurgents and evacuating one injured soldier to safety in Arunachal Pradesh.

Major Anil Urs

Major Anil Urs, 4th Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry, receives the Shaurya Chakra from President Ram Nath Kovind. During an operation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he displayed raw courage, marksmanship, and rare combat leadership.

Lt. Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat

President Kovind bestows the Shaurya Chakra upon Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat of the First Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). In eradicating terrorists along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he demonstrated steadfast, exemplary leadership as well as conspicuous gallantry.

Major Anuj Sood

President Kovind confers the Shaurya Chakra on Major Anuj Sood of the 21st Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous). He exemplified extraordinary valour, conspicuous gallantry, and supreme sacrifice for the sake of the nation.

Name of the Winner

Description

Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu

Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu, 16th Battalion, Bihar Regiment, receives the Maha Vir Chakra from President Kovind (Posthumous). He exemplified exceptional leadership as well as astute professionalism. He displayed outstanding bravery in the face of adversity and made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the nation.

Name of the Winner

Description

Lt General Yogesh Kumar Joshi

President Ram Nath Kovind bestows the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal on Lieutenant General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, AVSM, VrC, SM, The Infantry.

Lt General Raju Baggavalli Somashekar

Lt General Raju Baggavalli Somashekar, AVSM, YSM, The Jat Regiment, Headquarter 15 Corps, receives the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Lt. General Shantanu Dayal

Lt. General Shantanu Dayal, AVSM, SM, VSM, The Garhwal Rifles, Headquarter 4 Corps, receives the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Lt. General Rana Pratap Kalita

Lt. General Rana Pratap Kalita, AVSM, SM, VSM, The Kumaon Regiment, Headquarters 3 Corps, receives the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Lt. General Rajeev Sirohi

Lt. General Rajeev Sirohi, AVSM, VSM, The Infantry, Headquarters 3 Corps, receives the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Lt. General Harsha Gupta

Lt. General Harsha Gupta, AVSM, YSM, VSM, The Sikh Light Infantry, Headquarters 16 Corps, receives the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.