Among the posthumous highest peace-time gallantry medal winners this year is Col Jojan Thomas of Army's Jat Regiment.
Col Thomas was serving in Jammu and Kashmir as the Commanding Officer of 45 Rastriya Rifles when on August 22 last year, at around 3:30 hours, he was informed of terrorists' movement.
The officer immediately rushed to the area with available troops and soon a fierce firefight ensued. The Colonel eliminated two terrorists from close quarters.
In the process, he sustained severe gun shot wounds. In spite of this, he engaged the third terrorist in a fierce hand-to-hand fight before eliminating him. But he later succumbed to bullet injuries.
Image: The brave soldier's family was inconsolable.
Photograph: PTI Photo
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