On the occasion of 69th Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind awarded India’s highest peacetime military award Ashok Chakra posthumously to IAF Garud commando Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, who laid down his life after gunning down two terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Corporal Nirala’s wife Sushmanand and his mother Malti Devi received the award at the majestic Rajpath.
After presenting the award, Kovind was seen wiping his face and eyes with his handkerchief.
Corporal Nirala was part of a Garud Special Forces Unit of the Indian Air Force, a detachment of which was attached to a Rashtriya Rifles battalion under the aegis of Op Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir.
On November 18 last year, an offensive was launched in Chanderger village of Bandipora district based on specific intelligence. The Garud detachment covertly approached the target house where the terrorists were hiding and laid a close quarter ambush.
This year’s Republic Day event in the national capital was graced by the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN nations as the Chief Guests, who were welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajpath.
The country is celebrating its 69th Republic Day today and Delhi has been put under a security blanket with thousands of security personnel, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters deployed in view of the Republic Day parade.
(With PTI inputs)