Commando clue in list

New Delhi: The government has richly decorated commandos who serve in army units, which was taken as an indication that some of them might have participated in the "surgical strikes" across the Line of Control on September 29 last year. As many as 34 officers and men from just two units - the 4 and 9 Para (Special Forces) - are among the 337 medal winners in 10 categories. Only four of these categories are recognised as gallantry awards and the men of the 4 and 9 Para (special forces) stand out here. It is possible that all the commandos were not involved in the September 29 "surgical strikes" and they have been awarded for other operations. They have bagged, between them, one Kirti Chakra, five Shaurya Chakras, two Yudh Seva Medals (for distinguished service in hostilities), one 'Bar to Sena Medal', 13 Sena Medals (gallantry) and 12 mentions for field operations. While the list of gallantry award winners does not narrate the details of their actions and the role that each of the men played - a glimpse of that may be available in the citations during the investiture ceremony when they are scheduled to be decorated by the President - the 4 and 9 Para (Special Forces) units are fairly well acknowledged within the military fraternity. There is discomfort within, though, about the identification of special forces officers and soldiers who typically operate anonymously in small teams. However, their photographs have not been released. Major Rohit Suri of the 4 Para SF has been named for the Kirti Chakra, awarded for courageous action of the highest order. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Mahavir Chakra - the second-highest gallantry award - that is granted in wartime. As many as four soldiers of the two units have been listed for the Shaurya Chakra, the award granted for valour and action while not in direct engagement with the enemy in peacetime. Major Deepak Kumar Upadhyay (9 Para SF), Major Rajat Chandra (4 Para SF), Captain Ashutosh Kumar (4 Para SF), Naib Subedar Vijay Kumar (4 Para SF) and Paratrooper Abdul Qayyum (9 Para SF) have been selected for the Shaurya Chakra. Colonels Kapil Yadav of the 4 Para SF and Harpreet Sandhu of the 9 Para SF - previously winners of the Sena Medal - were among those selected for the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM). The YSM is granted for distinguished service during hostilities and conflict. They are probably the commanding officers of the units that undertook the "surgical strikes". Eastern Army Commander Lt General Praveen Bakshi, superseded by General Bipin Rawat who is now the Chief of Army Staff, was named among those selected for the highest distinguished service award, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).