Lt Commander Suraj Prashar Awarded Shaurya
Chakra for Bravery in Operation Chuntawadi
¨
Lieutenant Commander
Suraj Prashar of the Indian Navy was awarded the Shaurya Chakra by President
Droupadi Murmu.
¨
The award was conferred
during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-I) held at Rashtrapati
Bhavan on 8 June 2026.
¨
He was honoured for
displaying exceptional bravery during Operation Chuntawadi in Bandipora
district, Jammu & Kashmir, on the night of 5/6 November 2024.
¨
The Shaurya Chakra is
India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.
¨
It is awarded for acts of
bravery, courageous action, or devotion to duty during peacetime.
¨
The award can be
conferred on military personnel, civilians, and members of the armed forces.
¨
Operation Chuntawadi was
a joint cordon-and-search operation conducted in Bandipora district of Jammu
& Kashmir.
¨
The operation was carried
out on the night of 5/6 November 2024 to neutralise terrorist threats in the
area.
¨
During the encounter,
security forces engaged with two terrorists.
¨
Lt Commander Suraj
Prashar served in the Indian Navy’s MARCOS (Marine Commandos) unit during the
operation.
¨
MARCOS is the elite
special forces unit of the Indian Navy.
¨ The force is specially trained for maritime special operations, reconnaissance missions, counter-terrorism operations, and high-risk combat tasks.
¨ The award recognizes Lt Commander Suraj Prashar’s courage, leadership, and dedication to duty in a counter-terrorism operation.
