Sat Jan 25 17:45:34 UTC 2025: ## CRPF Awarded Most Gallantry Medals on Republic Day Eve
**New Delhi:** The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received the highest number of gallantry medals, a total of 21, on the eve of India’s 76th Republic Day. This includes two prestigious Shaurya Chakras awarded by the Ministry of Defence. A total of 95 bravery medals were presented to personnel from various state and central police forces, fire services, and other emergency response teams by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The Shaurya Chakras were bestowed upon Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar and Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo of the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit for their exceptional bravery during an anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on April 2, 2023. The operation resulted in the killing of five top Maoists and the seizure of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.
Of the CRPF’s 21 medals, 11 were for operations in Jammu and Kashmir, seven for anti-Maoist operations, and one for an operation in the Northeast. Among the recipients were three officers awarded a second gallantry medal, and one constable, Sunil Kumar Pandey, received the award posthumously for his bravery in Assam while combating smugglers.
Other forces receiving a significant number of medals include Uttar Pradesh (17), Jammu and Kashmir (15), Chhattisgarh (11), and the Border Security Force (BSF) (5). Three BSF personnel deployed with the UN in Congo were also honored for rescuing UN staff from a violent mob.
The CRPF, India’s largest paramilitary force with approximately 325,000 personnel, plays a crucial role in maintaining internal security across the nation.
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