NEW DELHI: Special Forces units, which took part on the September 29 surgical strike in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), have got maximum number of gallantry awards on the occasion of this year’s Republic Day. Interestingly, two senior army officers, Lt. Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt. Gen PM Hariz, who were superseded for the post of Army Chief, have been awarded the PVSM (Param Vashisht Sewa Medal) for distinguished service.
One Kiriti Chakra, the second highest peace time gallantry medal, five Shaurya Chakras and 13 Sena Medals (gallantry) were awarded to 4 and 9 Para of Special Forces. The Commanding Officers of these two units were also given the Yudh Sewa Medal, awarded for distinguished service during wartime, on the eve of India’s 68th Republic Day.
Major Mohit Suri, who led one of the teams across to the terrorists launch pads situated in PoK, was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his daring leadership.
Col Kapil Yadav, commanding officer of 9 Para and Col Harpreet Sandhu, Commanding Officer of 4 Para, were awarded the Yudh Sewa Medal, one of India's military decorations awarded to mark distinguished service during war time is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in an operational content, including times of war, conflict, or hostilities and may also be awarded posthumously.
The surgical strike on September 29 was India’s first open submission of its generally covert operations in the enemy’s territory against terror infrastructure. Surgical strike was carried out in response to the Uri brigade attack by Pakistan backed terrorists, which killed 19 Indian soldiers on September 18.