Emotions ran high as the kin of six security personnel who died fighting terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, received the Ashok Chakra.
Emotions ran high and thunderous applause reverberated through Rajpath on Monday as kin of six security personnel who died fighting terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, received the Ashok Chakra during the Republic day celebrations here.
Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and four others who lost their lives in the Mumbai carnage were among the 11 security personnel honoured with the highest peace time gallantry award.
Thousands of people including foreign invitees applauded the supreme sacrifice of the security personnel as president Pratibha Patil presented the awards.
Kavita Karkare, widow of slain Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare who displayed raw courage and unparalleled leadership while fighting the Mumbai attackers, was virtually in tears while receiving the award and the president was seen consoling her.
A large number of people among the audience, including VIPs, rose from their seats when Kavita went to receive the award for her husband posthumously.
The tribute came along with a huge round of applause, when another Mumbai hero Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte's wife Vineeta Kamte received the award.
Smita Salaskar, wife of Mumbai Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar, who also laid down his life on the line of duty, received the honour from the president.
For Tukaram Gopal Ombale, who showed exemplary courage while fighting the terrorists, his wife Tarabai Ombale received the prestigious award.Omble, an Assistant Sub Inspector with Mumbai police, was involved in a hand-to-hand combat with the lone arrested terrorist Mohammad Amir Ajmal and died after being hit by bullets during the process. He was the first to charge towards Ajmal and his associate, who was later gunned down, armed with just a stick.
It was a moment of both pride and grief for Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan, mother of slain NSG commando Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who led the commando operation on November 27 last to flush out terrorists holed up in the posh Taj Mahal hotel in which he rescued 14 hostages.
The young major suffered fatal bullet wounds when his team came under intense hostile fire and later succumbed to his injuries.
Vinita Devi, wife of slain NSG havildar Gajender Singh who died while fighting the attackers in the Nariman House, also received the award for her spouse from the president.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}