Eight Army men get a huge pat for ‘daring’ Myanmar operations

Army personnel involved with Myanmar operations posing in front of ALH Dhruv

Eight Army personnel from 21 Para Regiment who took part in operations across the Myanmar border in June are among the 67 gallantry award recipients approved by President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee on the eve of 69th Independence Day.

The “daring” Myanmar operation along the “Indo-Myanmar border” also found mention in Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s customary Independence Day address to the armed forces personnel. “I compliment the Special Forces for undertaking this surgical strike smoothly and without any casualty on our side,” Mr. Parrikar said.

The 67 gallantry awards include two Kirti Chakras, 10 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal, 49 Sena Medals, two Nao Sena Medals and three Vayu Sena Medals.

The Kirti Chakra awardees include Lieutenant Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam who led the 21 Para Regiment into Myanmar and Naib Subedar Rajesh Kumar (posthumously) who died fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in October last year.

Of the 10 Shaurya Chakras while five went to the army, Navy and Air Force got one each and three were conferred to personnel under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Colonel MN Rai from Gorkha regiment who died fighting terrorists in Kashmir in January was conferred Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

Commander Mohan Milind Mokashi, Commanding Officer of INS Sumitra, got a Shaurya Chakra for playing a pivotal role in evacuating Indian nationals from Yemen under ‘Operation Rahat.’

“His brave efforts resulted in successful evacuation of 1621 evacuees, during five different operations, which he undertook from the Port of Aden, Port Ash Shihr and Port Al Hodeidah,” the citation reads.

Coast Guard personnel were awarded one President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and seven Tatrakshak Medals (TM) for displaying conspicuous acts of gallantry, distinguished and meritorious services. In addition, the President has also awarded one PTM for distinguished service and two TMs for meritorious service.

Commandant Chandra Shekhar Joshi, commander of Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which was involved in an operation that led to sinking of a Pakistani boat in December last year, got the President’s Tatrakshak Medal.