The Progress Of Jharkhand #46 | Page 13

of his troop and fired a lot of bullets. He was wounded by bullets on the leg and shoulder. As a part of Operation Vijay, he was asked to clear the enemy positions amidst heavy shooting. Bravely striking the 1st enemy position, he killed 2 enemies and destroyed the 2nd position by killing 2 more. While clearing 3rd, bullets injured his shoulder and legs. Undaunted, he continued to lead the assault on the 4th, which he destroyed with a grenade. At the end, a bullet penetrated his forehead. His daredevil act led to the capture of Khalubar. 6. When Lieutenant Navdeep Singh displayed invincible spirit fighting the terrorists After knowing about the infiltration of a group of terrorists in J&K on 20 August 2011, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh gauged the likely route of the terrorists and planned to lay an ambush at the appropriate spot. When the terrorists were spotted, an exchange of intense fire ensued. Leading from the front, the officer eliminated 3 terrorists at close range. On seeing another terrorist approaching their position, with utter disregard to his personal safety, the officer swiftly changed his firing position and he got hit by a bullet on his head. He nevertheless managed to eliminate the 4th terrorist. Further displaying utmost bravery and comradeship, he pulled an injured fellow soldier to safety and kept firing till he became unconscious due to excessive blood loss. He was posthumously conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award of India, the ‘Ashoka Chakra’ by President of India on the 63rd Republic Day. Though their acts of bravery cannot be limited to this article, but on account of Indian Army Day, let’s take a moment to salute these brave soldiers for their esteemed contributions towards the country.  India’s Highest Gallantry Award: Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Fact point Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest gallantry award for officers and other enlisted personnel of all military branches of India for the highest degree of valour in the presence of the enemy. Introduced on 26th January 1950, this award may be given posthumously. Literally, Param Vir Chakra means 'Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave'. In Sanskrit, 'Param means Ultimate, 'Vir (Pronounced veer) means Brave and 'Chakra means Wheel. If any recipient of the PVC shall again perform such and act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every Bar awarded a replica of the 'Indra's Vajra' in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone. The PVC is the equivalent award of the Medal of Honour in the United States, and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. One amongst the luminous recipients of this honour was Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously in the year 1971. He is the lone Indian Air Force officer to have been honoured with the Param Vir Chakra till date.  द प्रोग्रेस ऑफ़ झारखण्ड (माससक) । 13