The Hindu : National : Capt. Malik awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously

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Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

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National

Capt. Malik awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 25. Capt. Sajjan Singh Malik of the Special Forces has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra (the nation's second highest award for gallantry during peacetime).

Capt. Malik of 10 Para was killed on July 8 last year while battling terrorists in Gundpura village of Bandipur Tehsil in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. Capt. Malik killed three terrorists in the encounter, before dying.

Capt. Malik was from Rajasthan's Churu district and commissioned into the Special Forces in December 2001 after passing out from the Indian Military Academy. According to the citation, "Skillfully tracking the movement of a group of terrorists for a month, he laid a trap in Gundpura village in Baramulla district on the night of July 7. As the terrorists were leaving the village in the early hours the next day, he sprang the ambush. In the firefight he personally killed two terrorists in the narrow bylanes of the village but in the process received three bullet injuries. Ignoring his injuries he motivated his troops to surround and prevent the third terrorist from escaping. Lobbing grenades and with tremendous effort he closed in on the third terrorist, killing him at close quarters. He, however, succumbed to his injuries, sacrificing his life in the best traditions of the Indian Army."

Award for 331 Army personnel

UNI reports:

The Director-General of Military Operations, Lt. Gen. A. S. Bahia, and the Director-General of Armed Forces Medical Services, Lt. Gen. J. R. Bhardwaj, figure among the 331 Army personnel awarded the Gallantry and Distinguished Service medals on the 56th Republic Day.

Announcing the names of the recipients here today, an official spokesperson said that this year the Presidential Awards include 29 to be given posthumously — three Shaurya Chakras and 26 Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Nineteen Army personnel have been named for the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, three for the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 32 (including one Bar) for the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, five for the Shaurya Chakra and 12 for the Yudh Seva Medal.

Besides, 102 personnel (including two Bars) have been awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) while 39 (including one Bar) receive the Sena Medal (Distinguished Service).

Another 76 Army personnel (including 5 Bars) receive the Vishisht Seva Medal and 42 personnel have been given Mention in Dispatches.

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