President Droupadi Murmu, who’s also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented gallantry awards during a Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday (May 22).
Asstt. Commandant Eshenthung Kikon of 4 Assam Rifles has received the Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest gallantry award. The recognition has been awarded to 14 security personnel. Of these, nine are from the Army, two from the Air Force, one from the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) and two from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Since 30 July 2024, the column under Company Commander Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon has been part of a special recce team, tracking miscreant activity near a ‘sensitive area’ in Manipur after inputs from sources.
On 5 August, 2024, 12 armed miscreants were spotted, engaging in extortion in a nearby area. Kikon and his column engaged the miscreants, which turned into a close hand-to-hand combat. During the confrontation, one armed cadre fired a Light Machine Gun at the troops.
In response, Kikon fired a round upon the armed cadre, resulting in a non-fatal gunshot wound to the cadre’s right elbow and rendering him unable to operate the automatic weapon.
Kikon and his team overpowered and apprehended all 12 cadres and recovered five weapons, along with a huge quantity of ammunition and war-like stores.