Bhubaneswar: An Odia Army officer was among awarded 117 officers of the Indian Army who were awarded for fighting terrorism and infiltration. Odisha’s Col Punyabachi Mohanty was awarded for his role in anti-terrorist operations in J&K and his vital contribution during snow leopard operation in Ladakh.
General-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi presented the awards to officers, junior commissioned officers, and other ranks.
Ninety-two gallantry awards were presented to those who showed exemplary courage under extreme circumstances and 25 distinguished service awards were presented for selfless service to the nation.
Out of the 92 gallantry awards, 19 of them were awarded posthumously to the next of kin of the soldiers who were martyred during combat. Total eleven brigadiers, 19 Colonel and Lt Colonels and 23 Majors, Captains and Lieutenants too got award.
“The Army’s Northern Command is in a high state of readiness to face constantly evolving threats and challenges,” Lt Gen Dwivedi said today. The Commander presented gallantry awards as well as distinguished service awards to bravehearts, both officers and other ranks.
“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,” he said at an investiture ceremony held in Udhampur.
