ITBP personnel get police medals for bravery in Galwan valley clash
New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Police gallantry medals have been awarded to 23 ITBP personnel, out of which 20 are being awarded for bravery in the Galwan valley clash in eastern Ladakh in May-June 2020.
A statement from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said a total of 23 personnel have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) on the 75th Independence Day.
“Out of these, as many as 20 have been awarded for bravery in eastern Ladakh skirmishes in May-June, 2020,” the ITBP said.
This is the highest number of gallantry medals for ITBP awarded for bravery in a border face-off or border guarding duties.
Eight personnel have been awarded the PMG for the gallant act, meticulous planning, and tactical insightfulness and for defending the motherland in Galwan Nalla on June 15, 2020. Six personnel have been awarded PMG for gallant action during the violent face-off on May 18, 2020 in the Finger IV area. Six personnel got the award for their gallant action near Hot Springs in Ladakh on May 18, 2020.
Apart from these, three persons have been awarded PMG for displaying courage, grit, and determination in Anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.
“In eastern Ladakh, the ITBP troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to PLA advancing troops and brought the situation under control during fierce face-offs and skirmishes. With the highest order of professional skills, ITBP troops fought shoulder to shoulder and also brought the injured troops to the rear,” the statement said.
“Even when the ITBP troops fought the whole night, they received minimal casualties by giving befitting replies to the stone pelters of the PLA. At places, they gave a determined standoff of about 17 to 20 hours throughout the intervening night in extremely challenging conditions”.
The statement added that the ITBP personnel, with their high altitude training and survival experience in the Himalayas at the icy heights, the ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay and gave a “befitting response” due to which many areas were safeguarded.
“The ITBP troops showed the highest level of devotion, courage, determination, and utter disregard to personal safety even in injured condition and exhibited great professional skills in the face of a violent physical scuffle with the PLA,” the statement added.
Besides these gallantry medals, 300 ITBP personnel have already been awarded DG’s commendation roll and insignias for bravery in Eastern Ladakh deployments in September 2020, by DG ITBP SS Deswal.
UNI