Kirti goes to Rukhsana, 5 more; Ashok Chakra for 3
New Delhi, Jan. 25: Rukhsana Kosser, who killed a terrorist single-handedly in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district last year, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra for gallantry this Republic Day. Her brother Ajaz Ahmed was also awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest gallantry award in peacetime.
Ms Kosser and her brother successfully battled terrorists who entered their house in Rajouri in September last year and attacked their father. Ms Kosser struck one of them with an axe snatched automatic weapons from the stunned men. Both she and her brother then opened fire at the terrorists, one of whom was killed while the others fled. She and her family have been provided heavy security in case they are targeted by militants trying to avenge their humiliation. In all, the Kirti Chakra has been awarded to six people.
Havildar Rajesh Kumar of the Rajputana Rifles will be posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award. On August 1 last year, in an operation in the dense forests of Kupwara, he killed three dreaded terrorists but was hit by a hail of bullets in the abdomen, after which he succumbed to his injuries. Havildar Kumar "showed the unparalleled feat of most conspicuous gallantry, fortitude and the rare spirit of self-sacrifice in fighting the terrorists," the defence ministry said in a statement.
The Ashok Chakra will also be conferred on Major Mohit Sharma (posthumous) and Maj. D. Sreeram Kumar, who were awarded the Ashok Chakra on the eve of Independence Day last year.
Age Correspondent
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