Monday 25th May, 2026
(Embargoed for publication/broadcast till Jan. 25 midnight)
New Delhi, Jan 25: (UNI) A total of 308 Indian Army personnel will be conferred with the gallantry and distinguished awards on the occasion of 70th Republic Day.
This year, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani will be awarded with the highest gallantry award during peacetime posthumously. His wife Mahajabeen will receive the award from the President Ram Nath Kovind at Raj Path tomorrow just before the parade begins.
Prior to joining the Army, Lance Naik Wani was a militant-turned-soldier who had joined the Army’s 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004.
On the occasion, 19 Param Vishist Sewa Medal (PVSM), two Kirti Chakra, three Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal (UYSM), 32 Ati Vishist Sewa Medal (AVSM), nine Shaurya Chakra (SC), 10 Yudh Swa Medal (YSM) 109 Sena Medal (SM) will be conferred by President Ramnath Kovind.
The second highest gallantry award during the peacetime, “Kirti Chakra” will be conferred on Major Tushar Gauba and Sowar Vijay Kumar (Posthumous).
On the night of May 23, 2018, eight militants attempted an infiltration across Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. At 0400 hours on May 24, 2018 Major Tushar Gauba laid an ambush to deny exfiltration to the terrorists.
On the night of May 26 last year, in close combat undeterred by the terrorists’ fire he killed three militants.
His act of unparallel bravery under heavy terrorist fire, tactical acumen and swift action to save his party resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorist and no further casualty to own troops. He is belonging to 20the Battalion of the Jat Regiment.
Sowar Vijay Kumar, 22 Rashtriya Rifles (PUNJAB) deployed at Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, was part of “OPERATION VIJAY DARSU” conducted on August 2 and 3, 2018.
On August 2 last year, terrorists opened heavy fire towards his position to break cordon; undeterred he returned fire forcing terrorist to hide in maize field. Around 0915 hours when search was being carried out by Major Varun Gaur, terrorist brought down heavy fire on the party.
Sensing danger to his comrades he came out in the open and directly engaged the terrorists, to cover the movement. In the firefight he got injured but eliminated one terrorist.
Despite being injured he refused evacuation and under effective covering fire from his buddy he crawled forward and eliminated second terrorist in hand to hand combat.
The nine Shaurya Chakra will be awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher of 10 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Amit Kumar Dimri joined 14 Rashtriya Rifles (GARHWAL RIFLES), Major Imliakum Keitzar of 4th Battalion of the 4th Gorkha Rifles, Major Rohit Lingwal of 9th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Captain Abhay Sharma of the first Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Captain Abhinav Kumar Choudhary of the Corps of Signal, Lance Naik Ayyub Ali of Rajputana Rifles, Sepoy Ajay Kumar of Ghatak Platoon and Sapper Mahesh HN of the Corps of Engineer.