JOIN USGallantry awards were conferred on Major Tejus M (Corps of Engineers) from Bangalore and Colonel Rajeev K Babu (of the Sikh Regiment) from Belgaum, at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
The Army, in a press statement, said that a total of 31 brave soldiers were presented with the gallantry and distinguished awards from Southern Command during Army Day celebrations.
Major Tejus has been awarded the Sena Medal for his valiant act in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. The act of valour occurred when he was posted to a Rashtriya Rifle Battalion deployed in Kupwara.
“On April 15, 2011, he observed suspicious movement of a man near a village in Kupwara at about 11.45 pm, while he was on patrol duty.
Act of bravery
He immediately rushed with his party of four to the location. Within twenty metres of distance, he drew two bursts of effective fire from the terrorist. With utter disregard to personal safety, he closed in and fired to seriously incapacitate the terrorist,” the release said.
It added that while engaging the terrorist with fire, the officer prevented his escape by immediately setting a tight cordon with the Quick Reaction Teams of his company. “In the ensuing fire fight, the terrorist was successfully eliminated,” it said. Col Rajeev K Babu has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for his dedication to duty.
Army Day
The awards were presented by Lieutenant General A K Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command on the occasion of Army Day celebrations held under the aegis of White Tiger Division.
The Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area held a reception on this occasion which was graced by His Excellency Shri HR Bhardwaj, Governor of Karnataka and other senior civil and military dignitaries.