January : A total of 28 personnel from Jammu & Kashmir have been recognised among 942 police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services personnel across the country for their exemplary service and gallantry. The awards were announced on the occasion of Republic Day 2025.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs, out of 95 Gallantry Awards, 28 were awarded to personnel from Jammu & Kashmir, 28 from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 3 from the North-East, and 36 from other regions.
The Gallantry Medal (GM) is awarded for acts of exceptional bravery in saving lives, protecting property, preventing crime, or apprehending criminals, considering the risks involved in the line of duty. Of the 95 Gallantry Medals awarded, 78 were given to police personnel, while 17 were awarded to fire service personnel.
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) recognizes a special distinguished record in service, while the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) honours valuable service marked by dedication and resourcefulness.
In total, 101 personnel received the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), including 85 from police services, five from fire services, 7 from civil defence and home guard services, and 4 from correctional services.
Additionally, 746 personnel were awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM), with 634 awarded to police personnel, 37 to fire service personnel, 39 to civil defence and home guard services, and 36 to correctional services.
For the Jammu and Kashmir region, the awards include 15 Gallantry Medals (GM), 2 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM), and 10 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM). The Ladakh region received 2 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM).
List of Awardees
President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM):
- Anand Jain, Additional Director General, Jammu & Kashmir
- Nitish Kumar, Additional Director General, Jammu & KashmirMedal for Gallantry (GM):
- Azhar Rashid, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Maajid Afzal Wani, Head Constable
- Safeer Lone, Constable (1st Bar to GM)
- Shahnawaz Ahmad Deedad, Constable (1st Bar to GM)
- Suresh Kumar Bhat, Assistant Sub-Inspector
- Aqib Qayoom Yatoo, SgCT
- Manzoor Ahmad Bajard, SgCT
- Vijay Kumar, IPS, Inspector General of Police
- Rakesh Balwal, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police
- Iftkhar Talib, Superintendent of Police (1st Bar to GM)
- Faroz Ahmad Dar, Assistant Sub-Inspector (1st Bar to GM)
- Sudish Singh, Head Constable
- Pawan Kumar, Head Constable
- Irshad Ahmad Lohar, SgCT
- Late Himayun Muzzammil, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Posthumous)
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM):
- Mohd Yaseen Kichloo, Superintendent of Police
- Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Inspector
- Pardeep Gupta, Inspector
- Sanjeev Singh Salathia, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Som Raj, Inspector
- Rohini Dhar, Inspector
- Rajpal Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector
- Ghulam Hassan Beigh, Head Constable
- Mohd Iqbal Mir, Inspector
- Kuldeep Singh, Naik
Home Guard and Civil Defence (MSM):
- Riyaz Ahmad Mir, Divisional Warden, Jammu & Kashmir
Correctional Services (MSM):
- Vijay Kumar, Section Officer, Jammu & Kashmir
- Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, Warder, Jammu & Kashmir
