Twenty ITBP heroes who had resisted the Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh last year as well as a record 256 personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police credited with successful counter-terror actions in the UT are among the 1380 police personnel recognized for their gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service on the 75 anniversary of India’s Independence.

The total number of police medals awarded on Independence Day eve this year is 49% higher than the 926 medals announced at the same time last year. The sharp rise is largely on account of a nearly three-fold jump in gallantry medals from 215 last year to 630 this year.

As has been the trend earlier, the maximum number of gallantry medals – 398 or 63% of the total number announced – were awarded for actions in J&K region, while 155 (24%) went to personnel active in Left-wing extremism-affected states and 27 (4%) to police personnel in the northeast region. The 1380 police medals announced on Saturday include 2 President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG), 628 Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), 88 President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) and 662 Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM).

Among the Central police organisations, BSF won 56 medals including 4 for gallantry, Intelligence Bureau 35, CISF 30 including 4 for gallantry, CBI 30, SSB 16 including 4 for gallantry, RPF 16, Assam Rifles 14, NDRF 7, NSG 5 and NIA 3. Of the 23 gallantry medals awarded to ITBP – the highest ever for action along the border – this year, 20 went to personnel who had resisted PLA troops in Eastern Ladakh in May-June 2020.

While 8 personnel were honoured for the June 15 action in Galwan Nalla, six each were awarded for violent faceoff in Finger 4 area and action in Hot Springs on May 18, 2020.

News Source : Live Mint