New Delhi: A naval officer who circumnavigated the earth solo in a sail boat, an Army officer who killed two terrorists in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir and an IAF helicopter pilot who died in the helicopter crash while carrying out a rescue operation following the Uttarakhand floods were conferred the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award, by President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday.
Lt. Commander Abhilash Tomy was awarded the Kirti Chakra for “circumnavigating the earth under sail, solo, non-stop and unassisted”. The 151-day voyage started from Mumbai on November 1, 2012; Lt Cdr was alone all through and did not use his engines for propulsion.
Major Mahesh Kumar was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on December 18, 2012.
He “personally eliminated” two “hardcore terrorists at close range”, the citation said. Wing Commander Darryl Castelino was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. The officer had flown 22 critical rescue missions, saving more than 190 pilgrims in the wake of the Uttarakhand floods last year.
He died after his helicopter crashed during a daring and rescue mission on June 25, 2013.
Ten other personnel, almost all from the armed forces, were also awarded the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest gallantry award during peacetime. Out of these 10 personnel, five were given the award posthumously.
