Havildar Hangpan Dada, who died in Kupwara on May 27 after killing three terrorists, has been awarded Ashok Chakra, while Lt. Col. Niranjan Ek of the National Security Guard, who died during Pathankot operations, was awarded Shaurya Chakra on the eve of Independence Day by President Pranab Mukherjee.
In all, 82 Gallantry Awards have been awarded this year to armed forces personnel and members of paramilitary forces. They include one Ashok Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Of the 14 Shaurya Chakra medals, 11 went to the Army, one to the Air Force and two to police personnel under the Home Ministry.
Hav. Dada, 36, hailed from Boduria village in Arunachal Pradesh and was posted in the high mountain north Kashmir since late last year.
On May 26, 2016 as four heavily armed terrorists sneaked in across the Line of Control, Hav. Dada along with his team was tasked to chase and trap the fleeing terrorists. The ex-commando moved quickly in the inhospitable, snow-bound high altitude terrain and blocked the escape route of the terrorists, the Army said in a statement. In the ensuing action, Hav. Dada killed three terrorists singlehandedly despite being injured and his action led to elimination of the fourth terrorist.
Lt. Col. Niranjan Ek from the Corps of Engineers was with the NSG during the terrorist attack on the Pathankot airbase in January. An improvised explosive device (IED) attached to the body of one of the slain terrorists accidentally went off killing him and injuring four others.
Buried by avalanche
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of 19 Madras regiment, who was miraculously found alive under a wall of ice after nine days but died battling for life in the Army hospital, was awarded Sena medal (gallantry).
His camp at the Sonam post on the Siachen glacier was buried after an ice wall broke loose in an avalanche.
The President has also awarded 28 ‘Mention-in-Despatches’ to Army personnel for significant contributions in different military operations which include five for ‘Operation Meghdoot’, 22 for ‘Operation Rakshak’ and one for ‘Operation Rhino’.
The Coast Guard was awarded one President’s Tatrakshak Medal and five Tatrakshak Medals for displaying gallantry, distinguished and meritorious service. These awards are being given to the personnel of the Coast Guard on Republic Day and Independence Day every year, since January 26, 1990, the Coast Guard said.