44 Armymen awarded for gallantry, distinguished service in J-K

The awards were presented by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen K T Parnaik to the officers and other ranks at the impressive ceremony held at Sangha Auditorium, 45 kms from here.

Parnaik presented thirty two Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Sena Medals (Distinguished) and eight Vishisht Seva Medals.

The General Officer also presented Northern Command's Unit Appreciation to 13 units for their outstanding performance in 2012.

The investiture ceremony was attended by senior civil, military and paramilitary dignitaries.

Lt Gen D S Hooda, General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps, Maj Gen Rustam Patnaik, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Crossed Swords Division and Honorary Captain (Retd) Bana Singh, Param Vir Chakra, were amongst those who attended the function.

Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the appointment of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army succeeding last British Commander Sir Francis Butcher in 1949.