President Murmu bestows 7 Kirti Chakras; IAF pilot, Gaganyatri Prasanth Nair among the recipients

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday (June 8, 2026) awarded seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumously, to personnel of the armed forces for displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery and utter disregard for personal safety in the line of duty.

Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an Indian Air Force pilot and Gaganyatri, is also among the recipients of the Kirti Chakra, India’s second highest award for peacetime gallantry.

Ms. Murma granted seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumously; 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumously; and 29 shaurya chakras, including one posthumously, to personnel of the Defense Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State and Union Territory Police Forces during Phase I of the Defense Investiture Ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Defense Ministry said.

Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. of the Navy are among the recipients of the Shaurya Chakras.

The President presented them with gallantry awards for their exemplary endurance, bravery and dedication to service in Navika Sagar Parikrama II.

Commander Roopa along with Lieutenant Dilna sailed over 25,600 nautical miles in the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

“While sailing through the dangerous Drake Passage in stormy conditions that caused the ship to heel heavily, it took extraordinary skill and extraordinary courage to regain control. During the expedition, they also became the first Indians to reach Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, in a sailing vessel,” reads a citation in a post on X by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundarama of Rashtriya Rifles, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of Para (Special Forces), Major Arshdeep Singh of Assam Rifles and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of Para (Special Forces) have also received the Kirti Chakra, according to the list of awardees shared by the government.

Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar of the Mahar Regiment of Rashtriya Rifles and Lt Shashank Tiwari of the Sikkim Scouts were posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra.

In a series of posts on X, Rashtrapati Bhavan also shared some photos of the ceremony along with quotes.

“President Droupadi Murmu confers Shaurya Chakra on Major Anshul Balto, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 32 Assam Rifles, for gallantry in the line of duty. In April 2025, during a combing and search operation in Dima Hasao, South Assam, he was confronted by an independent neutral armed operation. This resulted in the elimination of three armed cadres and the recovery of arms and war supplies.” stated.

Another post said that the President presented the shaurya chakra to Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh, 11 Para (Special Forces), for his exceptional bravery.

“Based on intelligence information regarding the abduction of two innocent civilians, he neutralized the terrorist at very close range and shielded the kidnapped civilian with his own body. This led to the neutralization of the two tough cadres and the rescue of the innocent civilian,” the statement said.

“President Droupadi Murmu confers the Shaurya Chakra on Lt. Col. Neetesh Bharti Shukla, 19th Battalion, Sikh Regiment, for planning and executing a clinical operation without personal sacrifice. After receiving specific information regarding the infiltration of a group of terrorists, Lt. Col. Shukla launched an eliminatory ambush on 324 Foreign Line of the Foreign Line in July,” Rashtrapati Bhavan wrote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the ceremony.

In a post on X, he said: “We are proud of their extraordinary courage, commitment and selfless service to the nation.”

Published – 09 Jun 2026 02:11 IST