Havildar Hangpan Dada has been posthumously honoured with Ashok Chakra, the country's highest award for gallantry during peace time on the eve of Independence Day. He belonged to the Assam Regiment/35th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles.<br/><br/> Dada had shown exemplary courage, devotion and gallantry beyond the call of duty during an encounter with a group of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. In the last week of May, Dada along with his team spotted the movement of terrorists in the area and lost no time in engaging them in an encounter that went on for over 24 hours. He killed three terrorists single handedly before attaining martyrdom.<br/><br/>14 Shaurya Chakras have been awarded this year to armed forces personnel. Of them, seven are honoured posthumously. These include Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Ek of National Security Guards and Corporal Gursevak Singh of Indian Air Force Security who were martyred in the Pathankot operation. 63 personnel have been honoured with Sena Medal and 2 each have been given Nao Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.