Mathura, Feb 12: Northern Command Investiture Ceremony was held in Mathura on Wednesday to honour the individual acts of gallantry and distinguished services as well as to commend the efforts of the Units for their exceptional performance in the Northern Theatre.
As per INS, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, felicitated the officers and soldiers with gallantry and distinguished service awards, for their acts of bravery beyond the call of duty and also for their distinguished services to the Nation.
A total of 38 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 05 Sena Medals (Distinguished), 02 Yudh Seva Medals and 10 Vishisht Seva Medals were awarded to the individuals. The General Officer also presented GOC-in-C Unit Appreciation to Units in recognition of their exceptional professionalism & unparalleled achievements in operations, maintenance and communications while being deployed in the Northern Theatre under adverse terrain and challenging security situation.
The GOC-in-C during his address commended the efforts of the individuals for their acts of gallantry & distinguished services and also the Units for their collective exceptional performance. He emphasised that their efforts and contributions has made the Northern Army stronger in its area of responsibility.
The GOC-in-C expressed his condolences to the Veer Naris for their loss and assured them of the Army’s commitment for assisting them in their resettlement in the society. The GOC-in-C, also congratulated the family members of the award winners and further extorted all ranks to be ever vigilant and prepared for any security challenges.
Among the awardees were Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and Jawans who have displayed exceptional courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Major Prasoon Pandey of Ladakh Scouts, risked his life to save a medical evacuation team under attack during a UN peacekeeping mission, showcasing the highest standards of bravery and selflessness.
Major Laldingngheta of the Madras Regiment exhibited leadership and presence of mind despite being grievously injured thereby foiling an infiltration bid, and Captain Rohan Rabindra Hanagi an officer of the Corps of Electrical Mechanical Engineers (EME) exhibited bravery in the face of extreme adversity in Siachen Glacier that led to safe extrication of him and his men who were all buried under twenty feet snow.
Similarly, Sepoy Tarachand Ranwa of Rashtriya Rifles engaged a terrorist in intense firefighting audaciously in Jammu and Kashmir, and Sepoy Muttu Sappuri of Rashtriya Rifles displayed quick thinking and raw courage in eliminating a terrorist at close quarters again in a village in Jammu and Kashmir, exemplifying the Indian Army’s commitment to protecting human life and upholding the highest standards of military professionalism. Both the Sepoys were awarded Sena Medal for Gallantry in their courageous acts.
In another noteworthy effort, Naik Lalhmangaihsanga Chinzah of Assam Regiment displayed camaraderie under challenging conditions to save his critically ill post commander which saved his life.
The Northern Command Investiture Ceremony is a solemn reminder of the valour and sacrifice of the soldiers and the Units in upholding the safety and security of the nation’s Northern borders. Northern Command with its ethos ‘Always in Combat’, is the most operationally active Command of the Indian Army dealing with two adversaries and also countering the menace of terrorism in the hinterland. The Command also renders aid to civil authorities when needed while ensuring peace and security in the region.
The Northern Command Investiture Ceremony-2025 at Mathura Cantt was organised in an eco-friendly manner under the theme of ‘Go Green’ with key initiatives of using recycled materials and CNG & electric vehicles as transport, exemplifying the Indian Army’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
LIST OF AWARDEES
YUDH SEVA MEDAL:
Brigadier Banit Singh Negi and Colonel Manish Ramesh Lanjekar
SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY):
Lieutenant Colonel Nagendra Kumar Saraswat, Lieutenant Colonel Mutum Ajoy Μeiti, Major Rohit Joshi, Lieutenant Colonel Robin Dev Anand, Major Sachin Kumar, Major Prasun Pande, Major Gagandeep Singh, Major Saurav Singh, Major Gitansh Ahluwalia, Major Anil Kumar, Major Anand Gaurav, Major Laldingngheta, Major Amit Sharma, Captain Rajesh Singh, Captain Rohan Ravindra Hanagi, Subedar (Honarary Lieutenant) Naresh Kumar Naib Subedar Bhoj Raj Thapa, Havildar Shabeer Ahmed Sheikh, Havildar Veerabhadrappa Ninganur, Naik Padma Rigzen, Naik Lalhmangaihsanga Chinzah, Naik Subhash Chandra Verma, Naik Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Naik L Machinmi, Naik Sonu Pratap Singh, Havildar Mohd Iqbal Khan, Lance Naik Harish Chandra Nain, Sepoy Mohd Maqbool Sofi, Sepoy Abdul Qudus, Sepoy Chetan Kallappa Sarapure, Grenadier Govind, Riflemen Dhirendra Singh Dhami, Sepoy Ashok G, Bepoy Muttu Sappuri, Sepoy Rakee Sengar, Seroy Mohit Kumar, Sepoy Tara Chand Ranwa and Sepoy Vikas.
BAR TO SENA MEDAL (DISTINGUISHED BRIGADIER SALIMYA BANERJEE SENA MEDAL
SENA MEDAL (DISTINGUISHED)
Major General Bimal Monga Viishisht Seva Medal, Major General Manish Gupta Vishisht Seva Medal, Brigadier Ramesh Krishan, Brigadier Shailendra Bisht, Vishisht Seva Medal, Major General Pankaj Pachnanca, Major General Cibk Banerjee, Brigadier Prith Raj Chanhan Brigadier Karun, Brigadier Sandy Singhaswal, Colores Pradeep Semman, Colonel Nitin Agnhoter, Colonel Falender Singh Karakoti, Colonel Suraj Singh Chilwal, Lieutenant Colonel Richa Datt, Jeevan Raksha Padak and Shri Abdul Hamid.
