In recognition of the bravery of soldiers in operations, the Union government has awarded one Kirti chakra and 15 Shaurya Chakras to Army and Navy personnel this Independence Day.

The heroes of this year include rifleman Aurangzeb, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. The Kashmiri boy was later abducted and killed by terrorists for his role in the elimination of terrorist Samir Tiger.

Another significant awardee is Major Aditya Singh, against whom an FIR was launched for allegedly firing at a stone-pelting crowd in Kashmir, has been given the Shaurya Chakra, too.

The Naval women crew of the INS Tarini, which went for global circumnavigation, has been awarded the Nau Sena Medal for gallantry.

A Navy officer Captain P Rajkumar, who is presently also rescuing people in Wayanad in Kerala floods, has been given the Shaurya Chakra for a first-ever dark-night operation to save people in Operation Okchi.

A total of 110 respective services medals for gallantry have been awarded by the forces for different counter-terrorist operations in both Kashmir and the Northeast.

List of defence personnel being conferred gallantry awards on Independence Day

Kirti Chakra

Sep Vrahma Pal Singh, Rajput (Posthumous)

Shaurya Chakra

Lt Col Arjun Sharma, Jat Regiment

Maj Pawan Gautam, Corps of Engineers

Maj Aditya Kumar, Garhwal Rifles

Maj Pawan Kumar, Jat Regiment

Capt Kaninder Paul Singh, Rajput Regiment

Capt Varma Jayesh Rajesh, Rajput Regiment

Naib Subedar Anil Kumar Dhayia, Para

Naib Subedar Vijay Kumar Yadav, Maratha Light Infantry

Havaldar Kul Bahadur Thapa, Para (Special Forces)

Havaldar Jaweed Ahmad Bhat, Sm, Para (Special Forces)

Gunner Ranjit Singh, Artillery

Rifleman Aurangzab, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Posthumous)

Rifleman Jaiprakash Oraon, Assam Rifles (Posthumous)

Rifleman Rathva Lilesh Bhai, Assam Rifles

Capt P Rajkumar, Indian Navy