New Delhi: A total of 131 Army personnel have been conferred with gallantry medals, including six posthumous while an officer got his second Shaurya Chakra.
In total, 3 Army personnel got the Kirti Chakra, including one posthumous. Kirti Chakra is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.
Twelve personnel were conferred with Shaurya Chakra while five got Bar to Sena medal (Gallantry), meaning that they have won the medal earlier too.
Thirty-six personnel were given Sena Medal (Gallantry) including five posthumously, while 75 personnel found themselves in Mention-in-Despatch.
Here is the list of Army personnel who got the Kirti Chakra, Bar to Shaurya Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra
Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis, Kirti Chakra
Hailing from Tadubi in the Senapati district of Manipur, Lt Col Francis of 21 Para Regiment and who won a Shaurya Chakra earlier, is the the Assault Team Commander of his unit.
His citation read that he has swiftly established a highly coordinated intelligence network to systematically dismantle anti-national elements fueling violence and division in Manipur.
After several months of sustained intelligence development about a high-profile violent insurgent group and target specific team training, he launched a coordinated operation to raid and dismantle the insurgents.
Following seven days of protracted and intense surveillance, the team approached the hideout and demanded the insurgent to peacefully surrender, his citation read.
However, the insurgent opened heavy automatic fire in denial.
“Lieutenant Colonel Francis maneuvered his assault group from the north of the hideout and successfully eliminated one sentry. Subsequently, he outflanked another insurgent who had pinned down the entire assault group. The officer crawled under heavy fire with utter disregard to his safety and eliminated him in a close quarter combat with his superior combat skills,” the citation read.
Major Jitendra Rathee, Kirti Chakra
Major Rathee of 2 Para is a highly skilled Special Forces officer operating in Kishtwar region and was entrusted with the mission of neutralising terrorist groups in the area.
On 22 February 2025, acting on precise intelligence regarding the terrorist presence in a hideout in jungles of Kishtwar, he swiftly led his squad to the target.
At 0800 hours, he expertly readjusted the cordon to seal all escape routes and started the search, his citation read and added that displaying exceptional courage, he moved dangerously close to the hideout. With remarkable presence of mind, he deployed canine ‘Tyson’ inside the hideout which drew heavy and indiscriminate terrorist fire.
“Undeterred and recognising imminent threat to his men and the canine, he delivered precise covering fire ensuring their safe extraction. Exhibiting tactical brilliance under intense hostile fire, the officer maneuvered stealthily to an advantageous position, identified a hiding terrorist and with decisive action, lobbed incendiary grenades eliminating a terrorist and set fire to the hideout thereby trapping and injuring the other two terrorists,” the citation read.
After cessation of fire, he closed in to take confirmatory shots neutralising three foreign terrorists.
Havildar Gajendra Singh, Kirti Chakra (Posthumous)
Havildar Gajendra of 2 Para was serving as Intelligence Troop Havildar. He focused relentlessly on a specific jungle area of Kishtwar district and confirmed it as primary terrorist hideout
On 18 January 2026, leading a search team in dense jungles at an altitude in excess of 3,000 m in Kishtwar, he detected a suspected hideout near a vertical cliff. Sensing threat, he advanced cautiously and ascertained terrorist presence at extremely close range. His challenge prompted them to unleash a barrage of fire that wounded both scouts.
Fearlessly charging forward, Hav Gajendra evacuated the first scout to safety and administered vital life-saving first aid, his citation read.
“Ignoring his own peril, he then extracted the second wounded comrade during which he sustained multiple bullet wounds. Only after securing both he did retreat to a safe zone from where despite profuse bleeding, he re-engaged the terrorists and critically injured a most wanted foreign terrorist,” the citation read.
Havildar Gajendra Singh succumbed to his injuries on site.
Major Aditya Pratap Singh, Bar to Shaurya Chakra
Maj Singh of the Rajputana Rifles got his second Shaurya Chakra, besides his earlier Sena Medal.
On 5 July 2025, he led his team on a patrol on an isolated track along the Indo-Myanmar border through thickly forested treacherous terrain. At 0445 hours, the patrol came under intense automatic and grenade fire from insurgents.
The officer retaliated with lighting speed and sensing danger to his scout, he pulled him to cover and had a close shave with insurgents’ fire hitting his backpack.
Unmindful of the risk to his own life and in a display of unparalleled resilience and raw courage, the officer crawled forward under heavy fire sustaining splinter injuries while closing in with the insurgents.
“Undeterred by his injuries and with utter disregard to personal safety, he charged towards the insurgent stronghold amidst incoming fire. Displaying superlative field craft, he lobbed a grenade and engaged with accurate fire, eliminating a most wanted top operational commander of a high-profile insurgent group at close quarters and recovering a huge cache of war-like stores,” his citation read.
Major Paramveer, Shaurya Chakra
Major Paramveer of Garhwal Rifles led an ambush in a nala along the LoC in general area Machhadi.
Demonstrating tactical appreciation of terrain, he set his ambush at a daring range of 15–20 m from the killing ground, employing concealment to achieve total surprise.
As the terrorists moved into the killing ground, he sprang the ambush with devastating effect, bringing down accurate fire and engaging all three terrorists effectively.
}“One terrorist attempting to escape despite injuries, jumped downhill. With utter disregard to personal safety, Major Paramveer broke cover, pursued and neutralised the terrorist.
“During follow-up search, he demonstrated keen observation, spotted and eliminated a second terrorist who was concealed behind dense bushes on the far bank of Naushera Nar. Thereafter, he identified the third terrorist behind a boulder and ordered elimination,” the citation read.
Major Tarun Vasudevan, Shaurya Chakra
Major Vasudevan of Rajputana Rifles led an ambush column from front, ensuring elimination of hardcore terrorists during a Counter Infiltration Operation along the LoC.
On receiving specific intelligence inputs of a likely infiltration by a Border Action Team, he planned and led one of the ambush columns in the general area in close proximity to an enemy post.
After being informed by a scout about movement of two heavily armed terrorists, he ensured that terrorists were lured close to the ambush location.
He engaged them at close distance, resulting in heavy retaliation from terrorists who then tried to flee towards Shamshu Nar. However, he continued with close quarter battle and in ensuing intense firefight, eliminated one heavily armed hardcore terrorist.
Not letting the terrorist break contact, he continued to engage the other terrorist by firing on move and through claymore firing, ensured elimination by next column.
Major Keshav Kumar, Shaurya Chakra
Post the persistent efforts of Major Kumar of the Dogra Regiment, son of a retired Subedar, during an operation wherein one terrorist was eliminated, credible intelligence was received on 2 February 2026 regarding two terrorists in a forest.
As Mission Commander, Major Kumar inducted through unlikely routes across treacherous terrain to achieve complete surprise.
During the night, he tactically occupied likely escape routes, inching closer to the suspected hideout maintaining close surveillance over the area.
On the following morning, he initiated a deliberate search and personally cleared four caves narrowing down the suspected hideout, putting himself in grave danger.
When the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, revealing their position, displaying composure under fire and maintaining inter-agency fire coordination, he continued to engage them, leading to elimination of one terrorist, his citation read.
With the second terrorist held up inside the cave, his actions proved pivotal in preventing the terrorists escape and subsequent neutralization.
The neutralized terrorist was later identified as Category A++ terrorist and was responsible for multiple killing of security personnel and civilians.
Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal, Shaurya Chakra
On 7 November 2025, during a Counter Infiltration Operation, Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal of 21 Grenadiers was leading a 48-hour ambush ahead of the fence in proximity to the LoC.
At last light, he was informed of a suspicious movement of three terrorists along the Line of Control. He allowed the terrorist group to reach close to his location in the desired killing ground.
After positively identifying the terrorists with their weapons, Major Gaurav with his accurate fire, injured the leading terrorist.
Sensing danger to his troops due to retaliatory fire, he shifted his position under heavy fire with total disregard to his personal safety and neutralized the first terrorist at close range. Observing the remaining terrorists attempting to escape, he directed his covering party to engage them, effectively preventing their retreat. He then personally engaged and injured the second terrorist.
Major Vipeen Kumar, Shaurya Chakra
Major Kumar of the Dogra Regiment was awarded the gallantry medal for his counter-terrorist operation conducted on 21-22 February 2026 in Kishtwar district.
Tasked with leading the inner cordon in extremely difficult jungle and mountainous terrain, he executed deliberate closing-in-drills under hostile conditions to reduce distance with well-entrenched terrorists.
On detection of hostile presence, he maneuvered his team through undergrowth and uneven ground, maintaining stealth while dominating escape routes.
When the terrorists attempted to break contact, the officer led from the front and engaged them in a fierce close-quarter gunfight.
“In the intense exchange of fire, he accurately engaged and critically injured one terrorist, effectively pinning him down and disrupting any attempt to escape and kept him trapped in a cordoned dhok, enabling the containment grid to tighten,” his citation read.
He established a close cordon and led to successful trapping of terrorists in a dhok and further led to neutralization of a dreaded terrorist in most challenging operational environments.
Naib Subedar Shankar Ram, Shaurya Chakra
On 28 November 2025, Naib Subedar Shankar Ram’s post in Imphal East district came under intense fire from insurgents.
He immediately retaliated by bringing accurate MMG fire on insurgent positions. During the ensuing fire-fight, he sustained a grievous injury to his left hand.
Though bleeding profusely, with utter disregard to his personal safety, he refused evacuation and continued to exhort the troops to fight.
“Demonstrating indomitable courage and an unyielding fighting spirit, he switched to his personal weapon and single-handedly re-engaged insurgents under withering hostile fire despite grave danger. His resolute action resulted in critical injuries to six insurgents, thereby forcing them to retreat across the border,” the citation said.
Displaying exceptional presence of mind, he detected a hostile bomb-laden drone and immediately alerted troops averting casualties.
Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bisht, Shaurya Chakra
Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bisht is a seasoned and experienced junior leader of the Special Forces who demonstrated exceptional operational acumen and gallantry during the firefight with a violent insurgent group in the general area Churachandpur, Manipur.
On 4 November 2025, acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of heavily armed insurgent cadres, the Junior Commissioned Officer led his troops to establish a cordon along with his Team Commander Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis.
Upon instructions from his Team Commander, Naib Subedar Bisht took cover alongside his squad when a group of armed cadres attempted to breach their cordon site. In the face of indiscriminate enemy fire and without regard to personal safety, the JCO engaged them and trapped them in a kill zone.
One cadre tried to outmaneuver him from the West flank, with due diligence and tactical acumen, he crawled to a cover and engaged the cadre with precise and quick engagement. Despite being under heavy fire, his exceptional marksmanship and courageous pursuit resulted in pinning down one insurgent and injuring two insurgents and thereby eliminating one insurgent, his citation read.
Havildar Jagattar Singh, Shaurya Chakra
Havildar Jagattar Singh during an operation displayed conspicuous gallantry and exemplary soldierly qualities in the dense and rugged terrain of general area Jofar Forest.
On 2 February 2026, based on a credible intelligence input regarding the presence of two hardcore terrorists, Havildar Singh volunteered for covert tasks and along with his buddy, moved stealthily to observe, verify and track the hostile element operating in the area.
He maintained discreet surveillance, confirmed terrorist presence and facilitated timely induction of own troops, thereby enabling the operation to progress to a decisive stage.
On 3 February during the subsequent deliberate search and domination of the suspected hideout, he tactically sited his squad to cover the most likely escape route and to deny breakout from the cave complex.
In the ensuing engagement, the terrorists launched grenades and intense small arms fire from within the hideout in an attempt to break the cordon and escape. Undeterred by direct enemy fire, Havildar Singh maintained his position with exceptional calmness and vigilance.
When one terrorist attempted to force an escape during the exchange of fire, he engaged the terrorist at close quarters and neutralised him instantly, despite the grave risk to his life from continuing hostile fire and grenade blasts, his citation said.
Lance Naik Narender Sindhu, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)
On 8 September 2025, at 0815 hours, terrorists from a hideout in Kulgam forest opened indiscriminate fire on a search column and attempted escape.
Despite indiscriminate fire, Narender Sindhu with his exemplary composure and tactical clarity, withheld his fire to avoid casualty to own search parties who were positioned inside the cordon.
On detecting suspicious movement at close quarters, he boldly challenged the terrorist as per the rules of engagement.
The terrorist retaliated with intense fire injuring Narender Sindhu. Despite grievously wounded, he displayed raw courage and remarkable initiative, maneuvered under fire, re-adjusted his position and engaged the terrorist with accurate and lethal fire, killing him on the spot, his citation read.
The terrorist was later identified as Category A+. Lance Naik Narender Sindhu was later evacuated but succumbed to his injuries.
Lance Naik Kapil Dev, Shaurya Chakra
Lance Naik Kapil Dev of the Dogra Regiment was part of a counter terrorist operation launched on 14 January 2026 in general area Kishtwar.
During the operation, a massive hideout was busted on 18 January, but terrorists managed to flee owing to dense forest.
Post this, a search operation was launched to neutralise the terrorists. Lance Naik Kapil Dev was nominated to lead as scout of one of the Ghatak operation teams.
At around 1815 hours, on 4 February, Lance Naik Kapil Dev spotted a terrorist hiding in the densely forested area of Dichhar behind trees.
He inched closer along with his buddy towards the terrorist. Once in close proximity, unmindful of his personal safety as he was fired upon from two different directions by other terrorists, he engaged the terrorist with accurate fire.
“With bold and courageous actions, he eliminated one terrorist, ensured safety of own column and led to recovery of arms, ammunition and war-like stores,” his citation read.
Sepoy Jaswinder Singh, Shaurya Chakra
Sepoy Jaswinder Singh of Sikh Light Infantry was awarded the gallantry medal for eliminating an armed foreign terrorist during a high-risk house intervention operation in a remote village of Kathua district.
On 23 January 2026, despite heavy rainfall, Sepoy Jaswinder Singh led an assault team with tactical audacity and excellent battle craft through dense foliage, approaching the target house with surprise. He ensured visual contact with the support team and obtained positive confirmation of no civilian presence inside.
“With utter disregard to personal safety, he led the deliberate search of the house through alternate entry. He correctly appreciated the presence of a terrorist with a weapon inside the kitchen,” his citation read.
“Realizing grave danger to his team, Sepoy Jaswinder Singh swiftly dashed towards the terrorist and neutralised him with effective fire from personal weapon in close encounter. His presence of mind and sheer grit denied any reaction time to the terrorist, thereby concluding the operation in merely few minutes.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)