New Delhi, Aug 14: The Ministry of Defence on Friday announced the conferment of the Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra — India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards — to 15 Army personnel, including Special Forces commandos and Rashtriya Rifles troops, for their exemplary valour in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, and along the international borders.
The awards recognise acts of conspicuous bravery, resolute leadership, and supreme sacrifice during operations carried out between late 2025 and early 2026, official sources said.
Lt Col Maneo Francis PF, SC (21 Para SF) has been awarded the Kirti Chakra for his role in a seven-day operation in Manipur from October 29 to November 4, 2025. Displaying superior tactical acumen, he led his assault team in eliminating two heavily armed insurgents in close-quarter combat after the militants opened automatic fire on his column.
Maj Jitendra Rathee (2 Para SF) has been decorated for a daring operation in Kishtwar on February 22, 2025. Acting on precise intelligence, he led his squad to a terrorist hideout and, in a display of tactical brilliance, used a canine to draw enemy fire. He subsequently neutralised three foreign terrorists, officials said.
Hav Gajendra Singh (2 Para SF) has been conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously. On January 18, 2026, during a search operation at an altitude of over 3,000 metres in Kishtwar, he evacuated two wounded comrades under heavy fire and critically injured a top foreign terrorist before succumbing to his own injuries. His selfless courage, officials said, embodied the finest traditions of the Indian Army.
Eleven personnel have been named for the Shaurya Chakra, including one posthumous award.
Maj Paramveer (Garhwal Rifles/36 RR) was recognised for his leadership during an ambush along the Line of Control on August 26, 2025. He positioned his team at a daring range of 15-20 metres and eliminated three terrorists, pursuing one downhill under fire.
Maj Tarun Vasudevan (Rajputana Rifles/57 RR) was awarded for a counter-infiltration operation on October 13, 2025, during which he lured heavily armed terrorists into his kill zone and eliminated two hardcore militants in close-quarter battle.
Maj Keshav Kumar (12 Dogra) was decorated for his role in a February 2, 2026 operation in which he led his team through treacherous terrain and neutralised a Category A++ terrorist responsible for multiple killings of security personnel and civilians.
Maj Gaurav Singh Brijwal (21 Grenadiers) was cited for his leadership during a 48-hour ambush along the LoC on November 7, 2025. He allowed three infiltrating terrorists to enter his kill zone before engaging them, neutralising two and foiling the infiltration bid.
Maj Vipeen Kumar (Dogra/11 RR) received the award for a counter-terrorist operation in Kishtwar on February 21-22, 2026. Leading the inner cordon in extremely difficult terrain, he engaged terrorists in close-quarter combat and trapped a dreaded militant.
Nb Sub Shankar Ram (3 Assam Rifles) showed conspicuous gallantry on November 28, 2025, when his post in Imphal East came under insurgent fire. Despite a grievous injury to his left hand, he refused evacuation and continued to engage the enemy, critically injuring six insurgents and forcing their retreat.
Nb Sub Dabbal Singh Bisht (21 Para SF) was recognised for his actions in Churachandpur, Manipur, on November 4, 2025. Acting on specific intelligence, he established a cordon and engaged heavily armed insurgents, eliminating one and injuring two others with precise marksmanship.
Hav Jagattar Singh (4 Para SF) was awarded for his bravery in Jofar Forest on February 3, 2026. During a search operation, he neutralised a terrorist attempting to break through his cordon, despite being under direct grenade and small arms fire.
Ln Nk Narender Sindhu (Rajputana Rifles/9 RR) was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his actions in Kulgam on September 8, 2025. Despite being grievously wounded, he maneuvered under fire and eliminated a Category A+ terrorist before succumbing to his injuries.
Ln Nk Kapil Dev (Dogra/11 RR) was decorated for a counter-terrorist operation in Kishtwar on February 4, 2026. Acting as a scout, he spotted a terrorist hiding in dense forest and, despite being fired upon from multiple directions, engaged and eliminated the militant.
Sep Jaswinder Singh (7 Sikh Light Infantry) was awarded for his raw courage during a high-risk house intervention operation in Kathua on January 23, 2026. He entered the target house under heavy rainfall and neutralised a foreign terrorist at close quarters, preventing any civilian casualties, officials said.
Maj Aditya Pratap Singh, SC, SM (Rajputana Rifles/44 Assam Rifles) has been awarded a Bar to his Shaurya Chakra — a rare distinction — for a second act of gallantry. On July 5, 2025, while on patrol along the Indo-Myanmar border, he sustained splinter injuries but continued to charge at insurgents, eliminating a top operational commander and recovering a huge cache of war-like stores.
Official sources said the awards underscore the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to national security and its ability to operate with precision and valour in the most challenging environments.
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