President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil on Tuesday conferred gallantry awards to Armed Forces Personnel for their distinguished service for the nation. Lt. Gen. Krishna Singh, Lt. Gen. Shankar Ranjan Ghosh, both from Infantry and Air Marshal Dinesh Chandra Kumaria were among the fifteen Param Vishisht Seva Medal winners conferred by the President. Capt. Ashutosh Kumar (5th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles) and Lieutenant Colonel Kamal Deep Singh (18th Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles) were conferred Kirti Chakra for their conspicous gallantary in combating terrorists. The President also conferred 18 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 16 Shaurya Chakras, five of them were conferred posthumously.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Army Chief Gen. V.K Singh were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.