NEW DELHI: Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami of 9 Para-Special Forces, who not only killed two terrorists but also helped in neutralising two others while saving the lives of three wounded soldiers in J&K last September, has been posthumously awarded the country's highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashoka Chakra.

Defence Service Corps (DSC) sepoy Jagdish Chand, who killed a terrorist after snatching his gun during the Pathankor airbase attack earlier this month before he himself was shot dead by the other terrorists, is among the four to be honoured with Kirti Chakra, the second-highest award, in this year's Republic Day gallantry list. The other three are Subedar Mahendra Singh (9 Para-SF), head constable Rajesh Atra and constable Gautam Koch (posthumous).

Four of the 11 Shaurya Chakra awardees have also got it posthumously: Colonel Santosh Yaswant Mahadik (41 Rashtriya Rifles), Naik Satish Kumar (21 Rashtriya Rifles), sepoy Dharma Ram (1 Rashtriya Rifles) and constable Shri Rocky.

The other Shaurya Chakra awardees are Major Praphul Kumar Bhardwaj (12 Para-SF), Major Anurag Kumar (9 Para-SF), Major Sandip Yadav (55 Rashtriya Rifles), Lieutenant Harjinder Singh (3 Kumaon), Naik Kheem Singh Mehra (21 Kumaon), Rakesh Kumar Sharma and a civilian Bikramjeet.

Bravery came easy to Lance Naik Goswami, the "intrepid and indefatigable commando" who never hesitated to volunteer for all risky missions. Just 10 days after he participated in two major counter-insurgency operations, in which 10 terrorists were killed, Goswami was once again chasing militants as part of a patrol in Haphruda forest of the Kupwara district of J&K on September 2.

The four heavily-armed terrorists suddenly opened fire at 8.15 pm, injuring two of Goswami's colleagues. Undeterred by the intense volley of fire, Goswami promptly rushed forward to rescue his wounded colleagues, and helped in killing one terrorist. With utter disregard to his own safety, Goswami again charged at the remaining terrorists. Despite being hit in the thigh, he closed in and killed another terrorist and injured another.

Goswami was hit in the abdomen but hurled himself at the remaining terrorist to kill him at point-blank range before succumbing to his injuries. "Goswani was a natural choice of his commanders for any challenging mission and he was ever willing to oblige," said an officer.

Sepoy Chand was no less, despite having joined the DSC after retiring from the Army. On the intervening night of January 1 and 2, six Jaish-e-Muhammed terrorists entered the DSC lines at the Pathankot airbase and opened indiscriminate fire, fatally injuring two of Chand's colleagues.

"Showing presence of mind and conspicuous bravery, Chand ran after the closest terrorist and overpowered him. Chand snatched his weapon and shot him dead. In the process, two more terrorists in the vicinity opened fire on Chand and killed him on the spot," he added.

It took almost three days for the security personnel to corner and kill the six heavily-armed terrorists, who were in touch with their "handlers" and families in Pakistan, in the sprawling airbase. In all, seven security personnel were killed in the protracted operation.

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