The Gujarati Driver Sheikh Salim Gafur who showed great bravery in saving the life of 52 Amarnath pilgrims during the terrorist attack was awarded ‘Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak’, the second highest honour given to civilians for gallantry.
This was announced by the Home Ministry ahead of the Republic Day today.
Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is the highest honour given to civilians for gallantry.
He has been awarded for the bravery he shown by driving the bus despite the continues firing by the terrorists against pilgrims on July 10, 2017, in Jammu and Kashmir, a home ministry official said.
Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 14 others injured when terrorists opened fire on the bus Gafur was driving near Batengoo in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir while around 52 other bus passengers escaped unharmed due to the presence of mind and bravery of the driver.
Also read: J&K : Indian Army kills 7 Pakistani soldiers, 5 terrorists
A total of 107 police gallantry medals have been given this year to police personnel with the maximum for Jammu and Kashmir Police (38 medals), followed by CRPF (35 awards), Chhattisgarh (10), Maharashtra (7), Telangana (6) among others. These also include 5 IPS officers.
The data shows that the maximum gallantry awards were given to the security personnel involved in counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Police medals for gallantry have been given to 35 personnel serving in Naxal affected areas and three in the Northeastern region.
As many as seven police officers were awarded police medal for gallantry posthumously. Among them six were from Chattishgarh Police who laid down their lives in anti-Naxal operations at Chintagufa in Sukma district.
CRPF ASI Nand Kishore Prasad has been decorated with police gallantry medal for showing exemplary courage in counter-operation against terrorist who attacked bus carrying BSF personnel on June 3, 2016.
Ahead of Republic Day a total of 785 medals were declared for 2018, of which 616 were for Police Medals for Distinguished Service.
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