[Reader-list] In 11 Ashok Chakras, Jamia’s Sharma and six Mumbai heroes

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

We all are proud of them all. They are the real heros of our nation fighting
against the evil and extremist mindset. Let us all together salute these
brave Jawans of our land who were martyred giving us security. Lets pledge
to not tolerate violent extremist Islamic Fundamentalism in the valley or
even the violent insurgency around the North East. Violence and bloodshed
are not the means to achieve any goal. Those who do take such means, meet
the very same end! - ArK
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*In 11 Ashok Chakras, Jamia's Sharma and six Mumbai heroes*

 *Manu Pubby <http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/manu_pubby/>* Posted:
Jan 23, 2009 at 0154 hrs IST

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*New Delhi:* For the first time, the Ashok Chakra, the nation's highest
peacetime gallantry award, will be conferred upon 11 individuals, including
Delhi Police Inspector M C Sharma, who died in the Batla House shootout,
four Mumbai <http://www.indianexpress.com/special/maharashtra,%20politics/>policemen
and two NSG commandos who died in the line of duty during the
Mumbai Terror<http://www.indianexpress.com/fullcoverage/India%27s%20War%20On%20Terror/108/>attacks.

>From an initial list of eight probables, the number of Ashok Chakra awardees
for this Republic Day swelled to an unprecedented 11 after consultations at
the highest

level. Until now, the highest number of Ashok Chakra awards in a single year
has been three, conferred upon security personnel (non-military) who died
fighting militants during the attack on Parliament in December, 2001.

While Mumbai ASI Tukaram Omble's name was never in doubt, discussions till
the very last ensured that top police officials Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte
and Vijay Salaskar too would be honoured with the award posthumously.

The Indian Express had earlier reported that Karkare and Omble were to be
the only Mumbai policemen to be honoured with the Ashok Chakra while others,
including Kamte and Salaskar, were to get the Kirti Chakra and police
gallantry medals. The Mumbai Police had recommended names of 12 personnel
for the award but the
Government<http://www.indianexpress.com/special/government,%20india/>felt
that selection had to be strictly by the definition of the award for
the "most conspicuous bravery, or some act of daring or pre-eminent valor or
self-sacrifice" during peacetime.

NSG's Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havaldar Gajinder Singh, who died
fighting terrorists, are in the final list:

•**M C Sharma: Delhi Police Inspector who died in the Batla House shootout.

•**ASI Tukaram Omble: Took the bullets but held on to terrorist Ajmal Amir
Kasab's gun, leading to his capture.

•**Maj Sandeep Unnikrishnan: Died while flushing out terrorists at the Taj
Hotel.

•**Hav Gajinder Singh: Killed in the Nariman House operation. Was the first
to enter the building.

•**Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar: Killed while chasing
terrorists near Cama Hospital.

•**Col Jojan Thomas: CO of 45 RR, he died fighting militants in Kupwara. 12
militants were killed in the encounter.

•**Hav Bahadur Singh: He was part of a counter-insurgency operation last
year.

•**R P Diengdoh: Meghalaya Police DSP who died while leading an operation
against militants.

•**Pramod Kumar Satapathy: Asst Commandant of Orissa's Special Operation
Group who died battling Naxalites.