President Murmu confers 6 Kirti Chakras, 33 Shaurya Chakras
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, to personnel from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in recognition of their extraordinary valor and courage. The Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
The investiture ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, also saw the conferral of 33 Shaurya Chakras, seven of them posthumously, to members of the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and state and Union Territory police. President Murmu, as Supreme Commander of the armed forces, honored these brave individuals for their dedication and selfless service.
Among the recipients was Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon of the 4 Assam Rifles, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for exceptional leadership and bravery during a critical operation in Manipur. According to an official release, following intelligence about the movement of armed miscreants near a “sensitive area” in Manipur, a reconnaissance team was deployed to track them on July 30, 2024. On August 5, 2024, at around 9:30 pm, twelve armed miscreants were caught extorting locals.
Assistant Commandant Kikon mobilized his troops, engaging the miscreants in close combat while additional forces secured all escape routes.
When an armed cadre aimed a Light Machine Gun at the troops, Kikon fired a single shot, wounding the attacker’s elbow and neutralizing the threat. Demonstrating exceptional professionalism and tactical acumen, Kikon and his team apprehended all twelve cadres, seized five weapons, and recovered a substantial cache of ammunition.
Kikon ensured first aid was given to the injured cadre and orchestrated their safe evacuation without any collateral damage. “Through his tactical brilliance and decisive action, the officer successfully handed over the apprehended cadres to local Police station without escalation of internal security situation in the area,” the statement read.
“For his dynamism, unwavering dedication & gallant actions beyond the call of duty, Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon is awarded “Shaurya Chakra,” the report added.