9 Para hero gets Ashok Chakra

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 25

President Pranab Mukherjee has approved 365 gallantry awards and other defence decorations to the armed forces personnel and others on the eve of the 67th Republic Day. 

The nation's highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashoka Chakra, has been awarded posthumously to Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami of 9 Para (Special Forces) posted in the 6th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles for his acts of most conspicuous gallantry. 

On the intervening night of September 2 and September 3, 2015 Lance Naik Goswami killed two terrorists  in Haphruda forest at Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. Colonel Santosh Mahadik of 41 RR (Maratha Light Infantry) has been awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. A dynamic officer, Col Mahadik was commanding 41 Rashtriya Rifles and laid down his life in the line of duty combating Pakistani terrorists in Manigah Forest of Kupwara district on November 17 last year.

The awardees include four Kirti Chakras, 11 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 48 Sena Medal (Gallantry), four Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), two Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, five Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, four Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 49 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 20 Yudh Seva Medal, three Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 16 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), five Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 118 Vishisht Seva Medal.