Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Feb 20: The Western Command Investiture Ceremony was conducted at Mamun Military Station, Pathankot today with military elan and splendor by the Gurj Division under Rising Star Corps.
Presiding over this glittering ceremony, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Army Commander Western Command, felicitated 14 officers and soldiers of the Army with gallantry and distinguished service awards for their acts of bravery, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished service to the nation.
The gallantry award winners have battled hardcore insurgents in the most inhospitable terrains of Jammu and Kashmir and North East, in the best traditions of the Army with utter disregard to personal safety.
Nine Sena Medal (Gallantry) awardees are Major Ravindra Kokane, Captain Suveer Rathore, Captain Tarun Verma, Havildar Deepak Tomar, Lance Naik Chenabasappa Pujar, Naik Jagsir Singh (Posthumous), Naik Kulwinder Singh (Posthumous), Lance Naik Jagga Singh (Posthumous) & Gunner Manpreet Singh (Posthumous).
Next of Kin of four Posthumous awardees received the award on behalf of the gallant soldiers. The other awardees included three Sena Medals (Distinguished) and two Vishisht Seva Medals.
The Army Commander bestowed Unit Citations to 19 units of the Western Command for their meritorious and outstanding performance during the ceremony. He also presented banner to “Ram Division” for overall ‘Best Formation’ of Western Command in the fields of Professional and Sports Competitions.
The Army Commander congratulated all the awardees and recipients of Unit Citations and exhorted all Ranks to emulate their example and do their best to protect and project the name, fame and glory of the Indian Army and the nation.
He complimented formations and units of Western Command for their excellent performance in all spheres of military activities during the preceding year and expressed his confidence that all Ranks of Western Command would live upto the expectations and faith reposed in them by their countrymen.