NEW DELHI: An elite commando of the Army’s Special Forces, Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami, credited with having eliminated 10 militants in an operation that lasted over a week in the jungles of Kupwara has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peace time gallantry honour, posthumously. An unarmed jawan of the Defence Security Corps, Sepoy Jagdish Chand, who fought hard with heavily armed militants by snatching a rifle from one of the terrorists during Pathankot airbase terror attack early this month was also presented the Kirti Chakra.
On September 2, 2015, Goswami was engaged in a fierce encounter with terrorists hiding in the Haphruda forest in Kupwara, North Kashmir. “Two of Goswami’s comrades were wounded. Undeterred by the volley of fire, he immediately rushed to rescue them and, despite getting grievously wounded, he not only eliminated two terrorists but saved the lives of his comrades,” according to the statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
On the eve of 67th Republic Day, the President approved awards of 365 Gallantry & other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel. One Ashoka Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakras, 11 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal & 48 Sena Medal get gallantry for year 2016 alongwith Four Nao Sena Medal and two Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in addition to 29 Param Vashisth Sewa Medal and 5 Uttam Yudh Sewa Medals. The majority of awards were given to personnel from Special Forces in Kashmir.
5 ‘Veer gatha’ Books released
The HRD Ministry on Monday released the first batch of five books for children, based on the lives of five Param Veer Chakra awardees. The first set of five books in English and Hindi were released by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar here. HRD MInister Smriti Irani presided over the function.