Havildar Baljeet, Martyred In Pulwama Killing 2 Terrorists Conferred With 2nd Gallantry Award

Havildar Baljeet Singh of 50 Rashtriya Rifles, who was killed by terrorists in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in 2019 has been conferred the second Gallantry medal, posthumously.

The wife of Havildar Baljeet of Kumaon Regiment received the gallantry award at the full dress rehearsal of Army Day Parade was held at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment on Wednesday.

ADGPI

Lost life in operation killing two terrorists

The widow of Sepoy Sandeep of 55 Rashtriya Rifles, who lost his life in 2019 in an operation in which two terrorists were eliminated, also received the award.

This was Havildar Baljeet's second Sena Medal. Earlier in 2018, his wife had received the Sena Medal on his behalf, for an operation he was part of in Srinagar in October 2018.

He was martyred in an encounter on February 12, 2019, in the Ratnipura area of Pulwama district of South Kashmir.

Another #IndianBrave lays down his life in the line of duty in service of the Nation. #LestWeForgetIndia?? Havildar Baljeet Singh, 50 RR, who made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists at #Pulwama Jammu & Kashmir today - 12 Feb' 2019. @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/RQ7oxuOqTv

¡ª LestWeForgetIndia?? (@LestWeForgetIN) February 12, 2019

ANI

Saved his friend's life

As per the citation, Baljeet was the non-commissioned officer in-charge of Kakapore Company Operating Base in Pulwama district. ¡°Once the presence of terrorists was established¡±, Baljeet along with Sepoy Sachin Kumar Yadav, ¡°volunteered for house intervention¡±. When the two came under fire from a terrorist hiding in an obscure position, Baljeet pushed his teammate aside, ¡°saving his life¡±, and brought down ¡°effective fire on the terrorist¡± but was also killed in enemy fire.

Galwan heroes could get awards too

This year, it has been reported that the Indian Army soldiers who took on Chinese troops in the Galwan valley clash have been recommended to be awarded the war-time awards at this Republic Day.

The decision of the top Army brass has been to recommend these brave personnel for wartime gallantry awards. The wartime Chakra series awards include highest Paramvir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra and Vir Chakra.

The peacetime highest gallantry awards include Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.

BCCL

Col Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment, was among 20 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the fierce hand-to-hand combat on June 15 in the Galwan Valley, an incident that marked one of the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

"Some of the Army personnel including Col Babu who displayed extreme courage during the Galwan clash are expected to be honoured on Republic Day," a government source told PTI.

The Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs in carrying out brutal attacks on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post by China around patrolling point 14 in the Galwan Valley.