Updated: 19 April, 2008
India
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Ed Haynes |
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The passing of the last surviving Indian Victoria Cross winner, Umrao Singh, marked the end of an era. Vijay Mohan reports the heroic deeds of other Indian recipients of the award, cherished as an epitome of heroism and bravery. tribuneindia.com 12 Dec 05 |
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Ed Haynes |
History of Gallantry Medals As a result of the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965, the Raksha Medal, Samar Seva Star and some others were introduced. Then came the 1971 war and it led to the institution of the Sangram Medal, Poorvi Star and Paschimi Star.For the purpose of classification, Indian honours and awards can be divided into two categories:
(a) Gallantry awards.
(b) Non-gallantry awards.
The gallantry awards are again divisible into tow categories:
(a) Those for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
(b) Those for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
The first category of the gallantry awards comprises :
1. Param Vir Chakra
2. Maha Vir Chakra
3. Vir Chakra
4. Sena, Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medal
5. Mention in Dispatches
6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card
The second category of the gallantry awards comprise the following :
1. Ashoka Chakra *
2. Kirti Chakra *
3. Shaurya Chakra *
* These were originally named Ashoka Chakra Class I, Class II, Class III
Among non-gallantry awards, the following can be mentioned :
1.
Bharat Ratna
2. Padma Vibhushan
3. Padma Bhushan
4. Param Vishisht Seva Medal
5. Padma Shri
6. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
7. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
8. Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
9. Yudh Seva Medal
10. Vishisht Seva Medal
11. 30 Years Long Seva Medal
12. 20 Years Long Service Medal
13. 9 Years Long Service Medal
14. Meritorious Service Medal
15. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
16. General Service Medal - 1947
17. Samar Seva Medal
18. Sainya Seva Medal
19. Videsh Seva Medal
20. Commendation Card
21. Raksha Medal
22. Poorvi Star
23. Paschimi Star
24. Sangram Medal
25. Wound Medal
26. 25th Independence Anniversary Medal amaging.blogspot.com
26 Nov 06
Military Medal Reveals A Story Nelson military historian Mr Fred Stringer tracked down Mr Bashir's grandfather's military career to the end of the First World War and told his grandson: "Your grandfather got around a bit." Allah Rukka Khan enrolled in the Army in December, 1897, and three years later was made a jemadar, the lowest rank of commissioned officer in the British Indian Army, equivalent to a lieutenant. He served in East Africa between 1902/04 with a company of the Bombay Sappers and Miners and then in France between 1914/5, and was appointed to the Signal Service in 1915. He was awarded the IOM in February, 1916, while serving with the Lahore Divisional Signal Company, but unfortunately the citation told Mr Stringer no more than it was for "gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with the Indian Army Corps in France and Flanders". In the whole of the First World War only three awards of the IOM, second class, were made to members of a signal company. Allah Rukka Khan was made up to a subadar (or captain) in January, 1917. The announcement of the IOM might well have been made while he was in Mesopotamia in 1916/7 - in a place called Basra! Originally regarded as the Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross, after 1912 and into the 1920s Indian troops could be awarded either the IOM or the Victoria Cross. pendletoday.co.uk 14 Jul 06
Book Review of: Indian Heroes and Heroines of World War II, by Vidya Anand (from India Journal)
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Azad Hind series of Indian medals Pictures of medals awarded to members of the Hind Legion (Indian POWs captured by the Axis in North Africa who joined the German Army and served in their own unit). Also contains other awards. diggerhistory.info Mar 06 |
Decorations and medals of the Indian States Ed Haynes:
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Imitiaz-I-Abbasia 5th Class Image courtesy Emmanuel Halleux |
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Patalia Guru ghar manya badge |
India (Patalia) - A medal for collecting medals Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s collection of medals, rated as the world’s largest collection during his time, is truly mind-boggling now. He outdid himself in collecting medals in the same way he had outdone himself in so many fields. He headed the Chamber of Princes despite being the head of a small princely state. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh bought the entire medal collection of Spinks and Sons of London. Spinks had been making medals for governments and rulers since long and used to buy back medals of rare value from families who fell in troubled times. Buying the Spink Collection had a cascading effect with others who wanted to sell medals in their possession gravitating to the Maharaja. The Tribune India 29 Feb 04 |
Indian Princely
States Christopher Buyers:
Baroda – Orders and Decorations of Baroda
Bharatpur - Orders and Decorations of Bharatpur
Bhopal
- Orders
and Decorations of Bhopal
Bikaner – Orders and Decorations of Bikaner
Gwalior - Orders and Decorations of Gwalior
Hyderabad
- Orders
and Decorations of Hyderabad
Indore – Orders and Decorations of Indore
Jodhpur - Orders and Decorations
Kapurthala
– Orders and Decorations of Kapurthala
Mysore - Order and Decorations of Mysore
Patiala – Orders and Decorations of Patiala
Rampur
- Orders
and Decorations of Rampur
Sachin - Orders and Decorations of Sachin
Sikkim - Orders and Decorations of Sikkim
Tripura - Orders and Decoratiosn of Tripura
Gallantry and Bravery (List of Gallantry of Bravery Award winners - Air Force focus, but also contains Army and Navy information. Broken down by conflict) (Sam's Indian Air Force Down Under Website)
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Pictured is the Order of British India - For long and faithful service. |
President to honour valiant NSG commando President A P J Abdul Kalam is to honour the valiant NSG commando Surjan Singh Bhandari for his bravery during the Akshardham operation. Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, during his quick visit to the civil hospital here in which the comatose commando is admitted, told his relatives that a medal of bravery would be awarded by the President. Bhandari's aged mother would receive the award in New Delhi, they said. (Dec 02)
400 Bravehearts on R-Day Honours List (Four hundred and twenty two armed forces personnel have been decorated with gallantry awards on the 53rd Republic Day. Apart from four Ashok Chakras (all posthumous) they include 21 PVSMs, nine Kirti Chakras, 44 AVSMs, 31 Shaurya Chakras, one Vir Chakra, 140 Sena Medals, 18 Vayu Sena Medals, 20 Nau Sena Medals and 141 VSM) (Jan 02)
Sena Medal for
Gallantry Awarded to Kazir Mohammad Bhat
(Jan 2001)
Indian nobel
laureate honoured (Bharat Ratna)
(Jan, 1999)
CISF
Sub-Inspector recommended for President’s Police Medal
(Jan, 2001)
India honours
'JP' with Bharat Ratna (Dec,
1998)
Family History in India
(Could be useful in researching medal recipients. It deals
only with Europeans and Anglo-Indians in the 20th-century in South Asia
– Ref: Ed Haynes)
Town of Agroha (List of Residents Honoured by the Government of India)
United Nations Operations
(List of Gallantry Award Winners) (India Army Website)
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India - President’s Police Medal for Gallantry - Awarded for conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. All police personnel of the country irrespective of rank and length of service are eligible for this award. The Recipients of this Medal are granted an allowance of Rs.200/- per month which continue to be paid to them at the same rate even after retirement. After the death of the recipient of the Medal, this Allowance continue to be paid to his widow at the same rate. The recipients of this award are also eligible to travel free by train in the 2nd Class AC II tier or in the first class with an attendant. (Ref: http://mha.nic.in/medal.htm) |
Haryana Police - List of recipients of Police Gallantry, Distinguished and Meritorious Service.
Dy commandant gets Police Medal Deputy Commandant Ashok Kumar Negi of the Transport Battalion of the Indo Tibetan Border Police was awarded the Police Medal for gallantry on Independence Day by the President of India. Negi remained posted in Gandoh, district Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, from April 2001 to January 2003. During his tenure in the counter insurgency grid, Negi remained stationed at the Tactical Headquarters Gandoh as deputy commandant (Operations). He remained closely associated with anti-terrorist and counter-terrorist operations and led a number of operations in Bhallesa area of Gandoh Tehsil. During his tenure there, the 16th Battalion of the ITBP, under his leadership, achieved the feat of having eliminated 22 hard-core foreign and local mercenaries and also succeeded in getting a number of militants to surrender. Also, his quick-reaction team busted many hide-outs which had large cache of arms and ammunition. Chandigarh Newsline, India - 18 Aug 2003
Civilian Awards (List of Recipients) (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Lt. General quits after Air Marshal's plane hit by enemy fire (Photos) Bhatia (Feb 02)
Looking for Colonel-General (Photo) (Mar 02)
J&K governor presents gallantry medals Jammu and Kashmir Governor Girish Chandra Saxena presented the Tamgaya-e-Shahadat [martyrdom medal] to widows of 35 policemen who laid down their lives fighting terrorism in the valley. The institution of the award was the last order former chief minister Farooq Abdullah signed before he relinquished office on October 10, though he continued in caretaker capacity till October 17. The Tamgaya-e-Shahadat is a 10-gram pure gold medal, and is given along with a silver plaque and a shawl. It was initiated as the state government's mark of respect to all those policemen who laid down their lives fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990. In all 636 policemen have laid their lives since 1990 and efforts were on to present medals to the next of kin of all of them. More (Oct 02)
Doc gets President ’ s Medal for dispensing the right treatment Be it the rathyatra, earthquake, floods or riots — Dr R C Shah has always come to the rescue, literally. And recognising this selfless service, the President has bestowed on him the prestigious President’s Medal for Meritorious Services. He received the Chief Minister Award for Meritorious Services in 1997. (Jan 03)
Ceremonials Honours & Awards (Independence Day 1999 Awards)
Gallantry Awards 1999
(List of Recipients)
Sam's Indian Air Force Down Under (Great source of information)
Eased out general gets gallantry award Lt. Gen. Kapil Vij awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the second highest medal for distinguished service. Among the other awardees were Lt. Gen. K. Davar, head of the Defence Intelligence Agency, who received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, and 10 armed forces personnel who posthumously received gallantry awards for their role in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states. Newindpress, India - 26 Mar 2003
56 cops rewarded for bravery, performance 56 state policemen who were honoured by Governor Mohammed Fazal for their bravery and meritorious performance. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)Kashinath Kachre was among the two officers who received the gallantry award at Raj Bhavan today. Kachre, of the Wagle estate division-Thane, was honoured for his alertness to catch dreaded robber Sagir Qureshi in 1997. Three officers were given the President’s police medal for their distinguished services. These were ACPs Ashok Khupsure, M P Mote and PI V A Ghag. Among the 51 policemen who received medals for meritorious services were Additional Commissioner S C Mathur, Deputy Commissioner of Police S P Yadav, Shashikant Shinde and Senior Police Inspector Vinayak Savade. Mumbai Newsline, India - 8 Apr 2003
Govt ’ s no to medal for Jaswant The government has turned down the Army’s proposal to give a special medal to the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, for his contribution during the Kargil war which India fought with Pakistan in 1999. The Tribune, India - 23 Apr 2003
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India's Dr Marar gets Queens birthday honours award Dr Raman Perumpillil Marar has recently been awarded 'Medal of the Order of Australia' for his services to the Indian community in Australia. Blayney Chronicle, Australia
A Roll of Honour of the Indian Armed Forces Database for Army, Navy and Air Force.
Bihar: 26 cops to get President's medals The state has selected 26 policemen for the President's police medal for gallantry, distinguished and meritorious services. The 26 include Additional Director General (modernisation) M K Sinha, Inspector Generals (IG) R L Kanaujia, Abhayanand, R C Sinha and Rituraj and DSP (special branch) Anjani Kumar Sinha. Others named today include DIG (Bihar Military Police) A K Seth, SP (Begusarai) Rajesh Chandra, SSP (Patna) Sunil Kumar, SP (Purnea) A K Verma, Additional S P (cabinet vigilance) V K Verma, SI (arms) central arms store Rajendra Sharma, SI (special branch ) Samser Ali and inspector (special branch) Anil Kumar Choudhury. Also in the list are Patna inspector Raj Kumar Karna, SI Phulwarisharif S M Alauddin, officer in-charge at Patrakarnagar Vijay Kumar and two constables of Bettiah police station. The Hindu, India - 15 Aug 2003
Three J&K policemen get posthumous honour It was a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir Police when three of its brave men were posthumously honoured with Shaurya Chakra by Defence Ministry for their exemplary courage in the fight against militancy. Sub Inspector Ravijee Fotedar, who was a terror for all infiltrating militants in Kupwara belt of North Kashmir, was selected for the prestigious award for two encounters in which he eliminated militants belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM). During the intervening night of February 5 and 6 last year, Fotedar ambushed a group of infiltrating militants of JeM and killed five of them in Khodi village in Lolab sector of Kupwara district. The officer again had an encounter with militants in Bagwal village in Kupwara sector where he gunned down two militants before succumbing to bullet injuries himself. Another official, Sub Inspector Ranbir Singh was honoured with the medal for his single handed fight against militants in Nud village of Sambha sector of Jammu region. He killed two militants in the encounter. His another feat was when he killed a Lashker-e-Taiba militant after a hot chase and gun-fight. The LeT militant was responsible for the Qassim Nagar carnage in which scores of labourers were mowed down by militants. However, during this encounter, Singh also laid down his life on July 13,2002. Constable Gulzar Ahmed Dar was awarded for killing three militants at Baramulla district on March 4, 2002. Dar also fell prey to the militant bullets. The Hindu, India - 15 Aug 2003
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Free parking likely for decorated faujis The winners of gallantry awards — Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra — may be allowed free parking at MC lots in sectors 17, 9 and 8 shopping centres. According to information available to the MC, of the 21 PVCs, 14 were awarded posthumously. In Kargil War, a total of 66 PVCs, MVCs and VrCs were awarded, 38 of them posthumously. Around 40 awardees, their widows and parents, live in and around Chandigarh, according to MC estimates. The proposal comes from Brig. Sant Singh. A decision in this regard is expected to be taken at a meeting of the 29-member General House of the Corporation towards the end of this month, said MC officials. cities.expressindia.com 14 Jun 04
Governor presents CM's police medal A total of 100 personnel of the Tamilnadu Police Service and Subordinate Service, three from the Home Guards, eight from the Fire and Rescue Services and nine from the Jail Subordinates Service were presented the Chief Minister's Police Medals for 'Outstanding Devotion to Duty' by the Governor P S Ramamohan Rao. Newstodaynet 16 Sep 03
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Excellent site on this subject PrideofIndia.net |
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President Confers Gallantry And Meritorious Service Awards The President, Mr KR Narayanan conferred four Maha Vir Chakra, three Kirti Chakra, 27 Vir Chakra and 13 Shauyra Chakra on those Armed Forces personnel who displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty. MOD - Date unknown
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The participation of Mahars gave the British the advantage in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818. Koregaon was successfully defended by a small force of 500 under the command of Capt F F Staunton who fought without rest or respite, food or water, for twelve hours against a large force of 20,000 horses and 8,000 infantry of Peshwa Baji Rao II threatening the British garrisons at Kirkee and Poona. The action was commemorated by a monument erected at the site of the battle and by a medal issued in 1851. The monument carries the names of twenty-two Mahars killed in the battle. This tradition of gallantry continued as the braves of the Mahar Regiment left no opportunity unused to prove their mettle. |
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Homage to Martyrs (Police) - Ashok Kumar Rana,Assistant Commandant, was born on 10-04-1952 in Village Badla, District Hoshiarpur (Punjab). He joined ITBP as a Sub-Inspector on 10-12-1975. He sacrificed his life on 02-11-1998 at Chirwar, District Anantnag in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in an encounter with foreign terrorists. In the encounter he killed 3 Pakistan sponsored Afghan mercenaries of LASHKAR-E-TOIBA group. Posthumously decorated with the SHAURYA CHAKRA, India's third highest peace time gallantry award, and two times the POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY
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Bengal Sappers to celebrate 200 years of raising Builders of the longest military bridge in post-Independence India, the Bengal Engineer Group of the Corps of Engineers, better known as Bengal Sappers, is gearing up to celebrate 200 years of the group’s raising at the Regimental Centre in Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh, from November 5 to 7. With 80 Battle Honours and 11 Theatre Honours, Bengal Sappers are one of the most decorated groups in the world. Bengal Sappers have the unique distinction of being the first Army regiment to gain affiliation with naval vessel INS Brahmaputra as well as Air Force Station, Sarsawa. The group is also credited with the construction of airfields at high altitudes in Ladakh. Delving into History, the designation of the Corps was changed to 1st Prince of Wales Own Sappers and Miners in 1906 and on his ascension to the throne, it was later changed to 1st King George’s Own Bengal Sappers and Miners in 1919. Individual gallantry awards won by the sappers prior to Independence include 11 victoria crosses, 65 military crosses and 116 Indian Orders of Merit. The post-Independence awards include one Padma Bhushan, two Padam Shris, one Ashok Chakra, 16 Shaurya Chakras and three Kirti Chakras. Express News Service 27 Oct 03
Lt. Gen. Dewan Prem Chand dead Lt. Gen. (retired) Dewan Prem Chand, who distinguished himself while serving with several U.N. peacekeeping missions around the world has died. Prem Chand's first foray into the tricky arena of peacekeeping came in 1962, when he was nominated by the Indian government to command U.N. forces in Congo to overcome the secession of Katanga province. Though he retired from the army as major general in 1967, the U.N. invited him to take command of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus two years later. He served as force commander till 1976, steering the mission through the political difficulties that led to the landing of Turkish troops on the island and its subsequent partition. In recognition of his achievements, the Indian government promoted him to lieutenant general. In 1980, Prem Chand was asked to serve the U.N. as special representative for Rhodesia, and later as commander of the force under the U.N. Transition Assistance Group that assisted the independence of Namibia. He successfully completed that assignment in 1990 when he retired from the U.N. Prem Chand, who died at the army's base hospital here, was born in 1916 in Muzzafargah in Multan, now in Pakistan. He was commissioned in the army in January 1937 from the Indian Military Academy. He joined the Dorsetshire Regiment and later the 10 Baluch Regiment, with which he served on the North West Frontier and during World War II. After India's independence, he transferred to the First Gorkha Rifles with which he remained for the rest of his army career. Over 20 years, he served in many capacities, including director of the National Cadet Corps, director of military intelligence and chief of staff of the army's eastern command. He was honoured with the Param Vishisht Sewa Medal by the Indian government and the U.N. Peace Medal for his services to peacekeeping. Yahoo India News 3 Nov 03
Tributes to martyr Tributes were paid to Capt Rohit Kaushal on his eighth martyrdom day at his native village, Jalauli. Capt Kaushal fell to the enemy bullet during a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir on November 11, 1995. He was posthumously honoured a gallantry award, the Sena Medal, for the supreme sacrifice. Express News Service 11 Nov 03
26 children selected for Bravery Awards Twenty-six children have been selected for the National Bravery Awards for 2003. Three of them will receive the awards posthumously. The coveted Bharat Award will be posthumously given to 17-year-old Vanlalhruaia of Mizoram who lost his life fighting dacoits. Riyaz Ahmed (9) of Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the Sanjay Chopra Award. Riyaz lost his hands and a foot while trying to save a child from being run over by a train. Ramseena R M (9) of Kerala has been selected for the Geeta Chopra Award. Ramseena lost her leg while trying to save a three-year-old child from being hit by a speeding car. Vivek Purkayastha (14) of Assam, late Lalramdinthara (15) of Mizoram and late Asit Ranjan Samal (17) of Orissa have been named for the Bapu Gayadhani Awards. Vivek fought dacoits, while Lalramdinthara and Asit lost their lives while saving children from drowning. The other awardees are Neelam Rani, Sarita Tyagi, Sunita Devi Singhdoya, Swati Tyagi, Sushma Rani (all from Haryana), Nitin Uttamrao Kakde, Dyaneshwar Manikrao Kakde, Raju Namdev Kakde, Satyam Mahendra Khandekar (all from Maharashtra), Suramya U R, Ajith Kumar P T, Saneesh K S (all from Kerala). Chuneshwari Kothalia, Ramsadharan (both from Chhattisgarh), G Kranthi Kumar, Thotakura Mahesh (both from Andhra Pradesh) Skiewtidaris Lyngkhoi (Meghalaya), Pratap Vikubhai Khachar (Gujarat), Ram Nayan Yadav (UP) and Harish Rana (Uttaranchal). The Bharat Awardee will receive a gold medal, a certificate and cash award. The other awardees will receive a silver medal. Sify News 13 Nov 03
Bollywood brings India-Pakistan Kargil conflict to big screen The 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan which claimed 1,000 lives is being brought to the big screen in a big-budget movie starring some of the most famous names in Bollywood. The four-hour ``Line of Control'' will portray the heroism of Indian soldiers during the battles fought on the icy heights of the Kargil region of Kashmir. Bachchan, son of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, plays Captain Vikram Batra who died during the conflict. After the conflict, Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Veer Chakra, India's highest award for gallantry.
Military engineers ready for challenges The Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers has always played a critical role, both in combat and in peace missions. The fact that the Corp has received three Param Vishist Seva Medals, an equal number of Ati Vishist Seva Medals, one Sena Medal Gallantry, 7 Sena Medal Distinguished and 168 Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards this year, speaks volumes of its contribution to the country. Raised during the British rule in 1780, the Corp is not only celebrating its 223rd anniversary on Tuesday, but is all geared up to face the daunting challenges, including that of a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. The Times of India 18 Nov 03
Madhur Jaffrey to get CBE honour Madhur Jaffrey, the 70-year-old thespian with a knack for cooking delectable dishes, has been chosen for Britain’s highest civilian award: the Commander of the British Empire (CBE). India Express 21 Nov 03
Girl to receive Bravery Award from PM A 14-year old girl would receive the Jeevan Raksha Padak from the Prime Minister for saving the lives of seven family members from the clutches of dacoits. The Hindu 26 Nov 03
Railway policemen get medals for bravery, service Railways Minister Nitish Kumar presented medals for bravery and meritorious service to 30 personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Two personnel received the President's Police Medal for distinguished service, while 26 were awarded the Indian Police Medal for meritorious service. One received the Railways Minister's Medal for Bravery and another the Railways Minister's Medal for Best Investigation. New Kerala 16 Dec 03
Centre gives nod to Gujjar Scouts in J&K The Government has given its approval to raise a new force comprising Gujjars and Bakkarwals of Jammu and Kashmir for deployment on the difficult terrains of the state to check infiltration from Pakistan and take on mercenaries and local militants in these areas. The force to be named as the Gujjar Scouts will be formed on the pattern of Ladakh Scouts and attached to an Army unit. The government in 1963 had formed the Ladakh Scouts in the wake of 1962 war against China. The Ladakh Scouts or the "Snow Tigers", comprising local Buddhists and Tibetan commandos, is one of the Army's most decorated units with more than 300 gallantry awards to its credit, including one Ashok Chakra, ten Mahavir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras. It was the first unit of the Indian Army to successfully launch the counter strike against Pakistani incursions in the 1999 Kargil operations in the Batalik sector. Sify News 18 Dec 03
A book on unsung heroes of Indian Army The Army Headquarters is bringing out a book titled ``Unsung Heroes of Indian Army'' highlighting exemplary and commendable courage by officers and men of the Indian Army. The book also highlights determination, initiative, imagination and abilities to overcome physical handicaps, both in war and in peace, displayed by army personnel over the years, a release said. Army has invited stories and photographs on incidents to be highlighted in the book. The incidents should have taken place during "Operation Pawan" and after. Achievements of individuals, whose names were included in the ``Encyclopedia of Soldiers with Highest Gallantry Awards" published in 1980 and ``Stories of Heroism"--Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and similar volumes published later, need not be sent, the release said. Newindpress 24 Dec 03
