core sector communique

ARMY GALLANTRY AWARD WINNERS AND THEIR

ACTS OF GALLANTRY

           New Delhi : 14 Aug 2011

SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY)

IC-63013 MAJOR ATUL GARJE AND IC-64530 MAJOR BHANU CHANDER (POSTHUMOUS)

1.       Major Atul Garje and Major Bhanu Chander as part of an Exercise were carrying out flying operation to rehearse Indian Army war plans.  On 02 February 2011 at about 0848 hours, soon after take off from Army Aviation Base, Nasik, the pilots experienced an aircraft emergency over a built-up area, necessitating an immediate force landing.  With exceptional flying skills, following the highest traditions of the Indian Army and selflessness, with utter disregard to their own safety, they manoeuvred the helicopter away from civilian habitat and ensured no loss to civilian life and property.   In the process of recovery, the helicopter impacted the ground and crash landed which resulted in the loss of their lives.  Unmindful of their personal safety, the officers have displayed indomitable spirit, boundless courage and exceptional degree of professionalism by their valiant act of selflessness in the duty to the nation.

MR-06053 LIEUTENANT COLONEL SANJIV KUMAR KAKKAR

2.       Lieutenant Colonel Sanjiv Kumar Kakkar, a Paediatrician, was heading the Indian Medical Mission, Kabul since 13 February 2010.  At 0630 hours on 26 February 2010, the residential complex housing the medical team was attacked by heavily armed suicide bombers.  After detonating a vehicle borne improvised explosive device, terrorists entered the compound.   In the face of terrorist attack, Lieutenant Colonel Sanjiv Kakkar, though unarmed, displayed exceptional bravery, rushed into a hail of bullets to take on the terrorist and herded his colleagues to safety.  The terrorist lobbed a grenade setting the complex on fire and blocked the exit.  In an act of exemplary courage and without concern for self, the officer ran through the advancing flames, took his colleagues with him and jumped through the window, himself sustaining severe burn injuries and a splinter injury in the right leg.  For displaying indomitable courage, resolute leadership that went beyond his call of duty putting his own life at stake to save the lives of his colleagues. 

MR-07284 MAJOR SUMIT ARORA 

3.       Major Sumit Arora, medical specialist on deputation to Indian Medical Mission Kabul was faced with enemy action at 0630 hours on 26 February 2010 when the residential complex of the mission was attacked by fidayeen terrorists who exploded the gate of the building and entered spreading terror by way of indiscriminate spraying of bullets and hand grenades aiming at Officer’ rooms.  One terrorist lobbed a grenades aiming at Officer’s rooms.  One terrorist lobbed a grenade at Major Sumit Arora’s room setting it on fire.  Major Sumit Arora, totally unarmed and trapped inside the room decided to brave the fire and confront the enemy bare handedly.   He came out of the room jumping through the window running through the fire towards the terrorists outside.  Meanwhile, the terrorists were neutralized by late Major L Jyotin Singh.  Major Sumit Arora sustained severe burns and sharpnel injuries all over his body but not bothered for his life, he looked after his colleagues and provided them with emergency life and limb saving medical care till medical help arrived.

MR-07287 MAJOR SIBASHISH METIA

4.       Major Sibashish Metia, posted as surgeon of IMM Kabul, an unarmed team working at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (Paediatric Hospital, Afghanisatan).   On 26 February 2010 at 0630 hours foreign terrorist attacked their residence ‘Hamid Guest House’.  With massive car bomb, terrorists demolished the security wall and gate, killed the security guards and entered the compound.  They fired into each room and lobbed grenades, also setting fire to the building.  Four team members (including two English teachers) were trapped in the inferno in a room along with Major S Metia. Showing remarkable presence of mind he initially tried to break open the ceiling to escape, failing which he tried a second plan and led the members through the blazing inferno and enemy fire without caring for his own safety.  Without considering his surgical career he opened the doors by opening the hot metallic knobs with bare hands, suffering severe burn injuries to both hands, face, chest and inhalation lung injury but saved the lives of three members.

SS-41959 CAPTAIN UPMANYU SINGH (POSTHUMOUS)

5.       On 07 December 2010, based on information about  the presence of foreign terrorists in a village in Baramulla District of Jammu & Kashmir, Captain Upmanyu Singh led the troops to cordon the target house.  One terrorist realizing that he was trapped attempted to break the cordon, when the civilians from the target and neighbouring houses were being evacuated. Captain Upmanyu took control of the situation and to avoid civilian casualties, brought down effective fire on the escaping terrorist and injured him.   Displaying courage of an exceptional high order, he approached the target house and lobbed a grenade through the window.  The terrorist attempted to again break the cordon and escape, firing indiscriminately in the direction of the officer. Displaying presence of mind and unmindful of personal safety, the officer retaliated and killed the foreign terrorist.  A stray burst fired by the terrorist resulted in the death of Captain Upmanyu Singh.