Bhubaneswar: As many as 117 officers of the Indian Army including one officer from Odisha were awarded for gallantry and distinguished service during anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
General-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi presented the awards to officers, junior commissioned officers, and other ranks at an investitures ceremony of northern command in Udhampur on Wednesday.
Ninety-two gallantry awards were presented to those who showed exemplary courage under extreme circumstances and 25 distinguished service awards for selfless service to the nation. Total 19 gallantry awards were presented posthumously to next of kin of the soldiers who were martyred during the combat.
Col Punyabachi Mohanty from Odisha was among four recipients of Yudh Sewa Medal at the investiture ceremony. Col Mohanty was awarded for his role in anti-terrorist operations in J&K and vital contribution during snow leopard operation in Ladakh.
“The security situation in Northern Command continues to remain volatile as we are the only command in active operations facing adversaries from both the northern and western front, in addition to the internal security threats,” a news agency quoted Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi saying on the occasion.
