On Monday(8 June), President Droupadi Murmu presented 7 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the ceremony.
Operation Sindoor Hero Receives Vir Chakra
Indian Air Force Group Captain Manish Arora received the Vir Chakra for his courage during Ops Sindoor. He flew a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and took part in air strikes on terrorist targets in Pakistan. This is not his first gallantry award, as he has also received the Shaurya Chakra in the past.
Officers Honoured for Counter-Terror Operations
Lieutenant Colonel Nitesh Bharti Shukla received recognition for killing three terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC). Major Aditya Pratap Singh received the Shaurya Chakra for showing exceptional bravery during a military operation in a border area of Arunachal Pradesh.
Major Ashish Kumar of 7 Para (Special Forces) also received the Shaurya Chakra.In November 2024, He led an anti-terror operation in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Under his leadership, security forces killed two terrorists and successfully completed the mission.
Shaurya Chakra Awarded Posthumously
President Murmu gave the Shaurya Chakra to Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand of 4 Rashtriya Rifles after he passed away. His mother and wife accepted the award for him at the ceremony.
Indian Navy Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K. and Roopa A. received the Shaurya Chakra for sailing around the world as part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition. Their accomplishment is a big deal for the Indian Navy and for women in maritime exploration.
In Chhattisgarh, Inspectors Laxman Kevat and Rameshwar Prasad Deshmukh were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for their bravery during an anti-Naxal operation on April 16, 2024. They led a three-hour mission, faced heavy fire, saved injured team members, and helped make the mission successful.
