On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hr, four Pakistani terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba, who were armed, attacked the main gate of the Air Force Station Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside The Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personal and their families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and high explosive had grenades.

NC(E) Prakash, SG was on duty at the main gate. On sighting the intruders, he challenged them to their identity and refused to open the gate. On further jostling by the terrorist, he raised the alarm to alert the sentries on duty realizing the impending danger to his life. He was shot at from point blank range, but he continued to obstruct the intruders from gaining access into the Main Guard Room and succumbed to the terrorist bullets. NC(E) Prakash attained martyrdom and laid down his life to facilitate the security forces to take vantage position to vanquish the terrorists. He displayed exceptional courage and acted in the best traditions of the Air Warriors at The Indian Air Force.

NC(E) Prakash Shivaji Gangvane displayed conspicuous valour, raw courage, presence of mind and sacrificed his life while eliminating the terrorists.

On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hrs, four Pakistani terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba, who were armed, attacked the main gate of the Air Force Station Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside The Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personal and their families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and high explosive had grenades.

Sep Satish Barde was on duty at the SLR DSC post at the time of attack. Through his keen sense of alertness, he reacted to the situation immediately and alerted the other two guards of his post. He instantly opened fire from his SLR towards the vehicle from where the terrorists initially opened fire. He restricted the advancement of the terrorists towards the main gate by seriously injuring two of them through his concentrated firepower. He positioned himself strategically in his post amidst heavy fire and inflicted casualties on the terrorists. Unmindful of the risk to his own life, he relentlessly continued to direct the firepower and guide the people in action on to the terrorists till all of them were killed. Had the terrorists gained the access inside the station it would have been catastrophic for the Air Base.

Sep Satish Barade displayed conspicuous valour, raw courage and presence of mind while eliminating the terrorists.

Squadron Leader Ashutosh Chaturvedi (18635) Adm/FC is on the posted strength of Air Force Station, Awantipora since 22 Feb 2000. The officer is NSG trained and has been performing the duties and responsibilities of Station Security Officer, O i/c QRT.

On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hrs, four Pakistani terrorists belonging to Laskar-e-Toiba, who were armed, attacked the main gate of the Air Force Station, Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside the Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personnel and their families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and high explosive hand grenades.

On being informed about this attack, Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi immediately swung into action and alerted all the concerned personnel including QRT and reached the site instantly. He positioned himself strategically at the right flank and moved towards the main gate amidst heavy fire and explosions to control the situation. He directed the fire power at the required places and also initiated the necessary action for securing help from BSF and Army for strengthening the security and cordoning off the area for further security. At the very risk of his own life, he relentlessly continued to direct the firepower and guide the people in action on to the terrorists till all of them were killed. Had the terrorists gained access inside the station, it would have been catastrophic for the Air Base. For planning, training, directing and taking active part in an anti terrorist action that was so sudden and unforeseen, Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi displayed exceptional courage and acted in the best traditions of the Air Warriors of the Indian Air Force. For this act of exceptional courage, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Seva Medal' (Gallantry) to Squadron Leader Ashutosh Chaturvedi.

10290225 Naik Reji Polackel Thankappan DSC is on posted strength of Air Force Station, Awantipora since 13 Oct 2001.

On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hrs. four Pakistani terrorist belonging to Laskar-e-Toiba who were heavily armed, attacked the main gate of Air Force Station, Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside the Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personnel and families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles and high explosive hand grenades.

Naik Thankappan was performing the duties of Guard Commander at the Main Guard Room. He reacted to hostile attack spontaneously and alerted the DSC guards for taking offensive action. He reached the LMG post and directed heavy firepower towards the terrorists. He guided the direction of firepower of his jawans for neutralizing the enemy power at the very risk to his own life. He displayed a keen sense of supervision of his men and showed exceptional courage at the scene of action. Had the terrorists gained access inside the station it would have been catastrophic for the Air Base. In an attack that was so sudden and unforeseen, Naik Thankappan showed considerable foresight and bravery in the entire episode of the battle against the terrorists.

For this act of exceptional courage, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Seva Medal' (Gallantry) to Naik Reji Polackel Thankappan.

10388589 Naik Jhagru Ram DSC is on the posted strength of Air Force Station, Awantipora since 19 Mar 2000.

On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hrs four Pakistani terrorist belonging to Laskar-e-Toiba who were heavily armed, attacked the main gate of Air Force Station, Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside the Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personnel and families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles and high explosive hand grenades.

Naik Jhagru Ram was on duty SLR DSC post at the right side of Main Guard Room. Amidst heavy hostile firing, he positioned himself strategically on the right flank and directed the firepower towards the terrorists. He was close to the enemy fire but unmindful of the risk to his life, he incessantly directed his firing and held on to his post very courageously till all the terrorists were killed. Had the terrorists gained access inside the station it would have been catastrophic for the station. Naik Jhagru Ram displayed a high degree of soldierly professionalism and maturity in combating the terrorists.

For this act of exceptional courage and bravery, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Seva Medal' (Gallantry) to Naik Jhagru Ram.

1450795 Sepoy Ganga Singh DSC is on the posted strength of Air Force Station, Awantipora since 15 Mar 2000.

On 22 Oct 2001, at 1330 hrs. four Pakistani terrorist belonging to Laskar-e-Toiba who were heavily armed, attacked the main gate of Air Force Station, Awantipora. Their aim was to gain access inside the Air Force Station and create havoc by destroying Aircraft, Missile Complexes and to create panic amongst personnel and families. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles and high explosive hand grenades.

At the time of attack, Sep Ganga Ram was the resting guard at the DSC post situated on the right flank of the Main Guard Room. He reacted to the situation in a soldierly manner and alerted the other resting guard while taking position at the SLR simultaneously. He directed the fire power at the third terrorist whom he could sight from his post. He relentlessly continued to direct the firepower and guide the people available at the right flank giving them direction for intensifying the firing till the time he realized that all the terrorists were killed. He displayed exemplary foresight in perceiving the threat to the base as he was the soldier providing direction to the firepower required to kill the terrorist. Had the terrorists gained access inside the station it would have been catastrophic for the Air Base. Sep Ganga Singh displayed exceptional bravery, exemplary courage and foresight during the action against the terrorists.

For displaying conspicuous valour and risking his life while eliminating the terrorists, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' (Gallantry) to Sepoy Ganga Singh.