Major Laishram Jyotin Singh conferred Ashok Chakra award posthumously for role in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI - On the Independence Day-eve the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Ashok Chakra award to Major Laishram Jyotin Singh.

Maj Laishram Jyotin Singh gave up his life for the sake of five of his colleagues, one of whom unfortunately was still charred to death, and another succumbed to his injuries five days later. His sacrifice, in addition, also saved the lives of two officers, and four paramedics and two Afghan civilians still alive within the compound.

For his act of exemplary courage, grit, selflessness and valour in the face of a terrorist attack, resulting in his sacrifice and saving 10 of his colleagues, Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was recommended for the award of Ashok Chakra (Posthumous).

Ashok Chakra award is conferred for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice” other than in the face of the enemy.

The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel and may be awarded posthumously.

However, two Kirti Chakras have been awarded to Captain Davinder Singh Jass and Vinod Kumar Choubey, Superintendent of Police, Chhattisgarh posthumously.

“President has awarded Ashoka Chakra to (Late) Major Laishram Jyotin Singh (posthumous) and two Kirti Chakras (Posthumous) to Captain Davinder Singh Jass and Vinod Kumar Choubey, Superintendent of Police, Chhattisgarh on the eve of Independence Day,” an official release stated. (ANI)