Five Personnel from Manipur Among Gallantry Award Recipients Honoured by President Murmu

New Delhi/Imphal, June 9: Five personnel from Manipur were among the gallantry award recipients honoured by President Droupadi Murmu during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on June 8.

The President conferred seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumous awards, 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumous awards, and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award, on personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State and Union Territory Police organisations.

The awards recognised acts of exceptional courage, bravery and devotion to duty displayed under extremely challenging operational conditions.

Among those honoured were Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, who received the Vir Chakra, Border Security Force Constable (General Duty) Deepak Chingakham, who was awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously, and Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of the 11 Para (Special Forces), Subedar P.H. Moses of 1 Assam Rifles and Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei of 3 Assam Rifles, all of whom have received the Shaurya Chakra.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior military and government officials.

Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik awarded Vir Chakra

Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in a high-risk air operation conducted deep inside hostile territory.

According to the citation, he served as deputy mission leader of an unescorted strike package tasked with neutralising heavily fortified targets protected by advanced air defence systems. The mission required penetration of airspace covered by sophisticated radar networks and defended by aircraft equipped with long-range beyond-visual-range missiles.

Operating under darkness and within a narrow attack window, Squadron Leader Malik successfully delivered precision weapons on the designated target despite coming under threat from both aerial and ground-based enemy systems.

The citation noted that even while operating within lethal engagement ranges and facing multiple hostile launches, he displayed exceptional composure and decision-making. After successfully striking the primary objective, he carried out an additional attack on a second target, destroying it despite intense electronic countermeasures and a highly hostile operating environment.

The Indian Air Force officer was recognised for his "exceptional gallantry and courage" in carrying out multiple successful missions that rendered enemy targets inoperable.

Vir Chakra posthumously for BSF Constable Deepak Chingakham

Constable (GD) Deepak Chingakham of the Border Security Force was among the three posthumous Vir Chakra awardees.

The citation recounts that he was deployed at Border Outpost Kharkola along with six other BSF personnel when the post came under intense cross-border firing involving heavy mortar shelling and direct fire throughout the night.

As the attack intensified, Deepak and his colleagues mounted a strong defence. During the engagement, aerial threats were detected and BSF personnel opened fire to neutralise them. Deepak reportedly engaged one of the threats using a light machine gun while enemy shelling continued.

A mortar shell exploded near the defensive position, causing severe injuries to both Deepak and his commander, Sub-Inspector (GD) Mohd Imteyaj.

Despite sustaining multiple splinter injuries and a fractured leg, Deepak reportedly refused evacuation and continued fighting alongside his comrades. The citation noted that he chose not to abandon his injured colleague and remained engaged in the battle despite his grave condition.

Both Deepak and Sub-Inspector Imteyaj later succumbed to their injuries. They were awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously for displaying exceptional courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire.

Shaurya Chakra for Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh

Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of 11 Para (Special Forces) was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his leadership during a counter-insurgency operation that led to the rescue of a kidnapped civilian and the neutralisation of two insurgents.

The operation was launched following intelligence inputs regarding the abduction of two civilians by cadres of NSCN (K.Y.A.). According to the citation, Major Deepak immediately led Operation Pangchau-II despite the complex nature of the mission, which involved the presence of civilians among the armed militants.

Rather than engaging from a distance, he chose to close in on the insurgents to minimise the risk to the hostages. During the operation, insurgent sentries detected the approaching troops and opened heavy fire.

The citation states that Major Deepak advanced despite the danger and neutralised one insurgent at close range while under direct hostile fire. He subsequently identified one of the kidnapped civilians, shielded the hostage with his own body and injured another fleeing insurgent with accurate fire.

The operation resulted in the rescue of the abducted civilian, the elimination of two insurgents and the recovery of weapons and other war-like stores.

The Army officer was recognised for displaying exceptional bravery, leadership and disregard for personal safety during the mission.

Subedar P.H. Moses Awarded Shaurya Chakra

Subedar P.H. Moses of 1 Assam Rifles has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for displaying exceptional bravery during a counter-insurgency operation in Manipur's Tengnoupal district on May 14, 2025.

According to the official citation, Moses was serving as the Second-in-Command of a special mission patrol when the team came under unprovoked fire from armed cadres positioned on a dominating height. Despite the threat, he led his section in locating and engaging the militants. The citation states that he secured a tactical advantage under intense fire, neutralised one militant and coordinated effective action against remaining threats.

During the operation, Moses reportedly adapted quickly to the evolving situation, disrupted militant coordination through precise fire and neutralised another armed cadre while advancing through dense vegetation. Officials said his actions played a key role in ensuring the safety of the patrol and the success of the mission. He was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for his courage, leadership and professionalism in combat.

Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei Conferred Shaurya Chakra

Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei of 3 Assam Rifles has also been conferred the Shaurya Chakra for his gallantry during an area domination operation near the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur on June 9, 2025.

As the lead scout of the patrol column, Vaiphei reportedly detected the movement of armed cadres approaching the team. According to the citation, the militants opened heavy fire, but he immediately responded and engaged them despite being exposed to intense gunfire. His swift action resulted in the neutralisation of two militants and injuries to another, helping eliminate the immediate threat to the patrol.

The citation further states that Vaiphei continued to engage the fleeing cadres as they retreated into thick vegetation, eventually contributing to the neutralisation of three armed militants during the operation. Officials said his presence of mind, courage under fire and commitment to duty were instrumental in the success of the mission. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for displaying exceptional bravery beyond the call of duty.

Recognition for Manipur personnel

The honours conferred on the five personnel reflect the continued contribution of individuals from Manipur to the Armed Forces and security services of the country.

While Squadron Leader Malik was recognised for courage during a strategic aerial operation, Deepak Chingakham and Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh were honoured for acts of bravery in ground operations carried out under life-threatening circumstances.

Their awards form part of this year's national recognition of gallantry and sacrifice by personnel serving across diverse operational theatres.

The list of awardees in the order of presentation is as follows: