At 21, CRPF bags highest number of gallantry medals

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been awarded the highest number of gallantry medals, 21, among all central and state police forces.

This prestigious recognition includes two Shaurya Chakras and 19 Gallantry Medals, raising CRPF’s total gallantry honors to an impressive 2,708.

The awards include 11 medals for operations in Jammu & Kashmir, nine for exceptional bravery in anti-Maoist operations across LWE-affected regions, and one for courage displayed in the Northeast.

Among the recipients of Gallantry Medals is Constable Sunil Kumar Pandey, posthumously honored for his supreme sacrifice and valour displayed on duty at the Assam-Arunachal border.

A notable highlight is the conferring of Shaurya Chakras on Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar and Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo of the 203 CoBRA unit for their extraordinary valour in a fierce Naxal encounter on April 3, 2023, in Chatra, Jharkhand.

Despite being heavily outgunned and sustaining injuries, they led their teams with exemplary courage, neutralising five Maoists and recovering a significant cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition.