Ashok Chakra for martyr who killed 3 terrorists in Kupwara

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 14

On the eve of Independence Day, the President has posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime award for gallantry, to Havildar Hangpan Dada of the Assam Regiment (35th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles).

Havildar Dada showed exemplary courage, selfless devotion and gallantry beyond the call of duty during an encounter with a group of terrorists and killed three of them before attaining martyrdom.

On May 26, when terrorists managed to break contact with the Army in the Nowgam sector of Kupwara district, Havildar Dada along with his section was tasked to chase and trap the fleeing terrorists.

Displaying ingenuity and understanding, the ex-commando moved with incredible speed in inhospitable snow-bound high-altitude terrain. This move blocked the escape route of terrorists.

In the ensuing firefight, when his section was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire, he moved to a flank and closed in with terrorists sheltered in rocks and boulders, resulting in saving the lives of his colleagues.

He displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists at close quarters. In the exchange of fire, he was grievously injured. Undeterred, the NCO 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 making the supreme sacrifice.

Meanwhile, bravehearts of the Army deployed in the Northern Command were given gallantry awards on the eve of the 70th Independence Day.

The grateful nation honoured eight bravehearts, five of them posthumously, of the Northern Command with Shaurya Chakra, the third highest gallantry award for acts of valour in peacetime.

The list included award of Sena Medal (gallantry) and mention-in-despatches for Operation Rakshak and Operation Meghdoot.

Major Rahul Dev Singh was conferred the Shaurya Chakra for exceptional courage under fire and exemplary leadership leading to elimination of two  A++ terrorists in Anantnag on October 4 last year. Shaurya Chakra was announced for Capt Gaurav Sharad Jadhav, who led an operation resulting in the elimination of two terrorists in the Gurez sector on September 17 last year.

Three martyrs who led the operation in Pampore to clear the EDI building with minimum collateral damage were awarded Shaurya Chakra.

Lance Naik Om Prakash displayed exemplary camaraderie and unparalleled resilience while killing a terrorist by drawing fire onto himself. Capt Pawan Kumar led a high-risk mission despite receiving injuries and made the supreme sacrifice after eliminating a terrorist.

Capt Tushar Mahajan eliminated a terrorist while evacuating a wounded colleague, thereby preventing further casualties.

Naib Subedar V Subba Kankara Reddy, who was part of the operation at Drabgam in Pulwama district, was awarded Shaurya Chakra. He displayed raw courage under fire and swift action that led to the elimination of a terrorist and injuring the second terrorist at close quarters.

Shaurya Chakra was announced for Naik Shinde Shankar Chandrabhan, who killed two Pakistani terrorists at close range in Kupwara district on February 12 despite being fatally wounded. Sepoy Hari Chettri was awarded Shaurya Chakra for killing the most wanted Pakistani terrorist operating in the Valley after engaging him in battle on October 29 last year.