Independence Day: ITBP personnel awarded Gallantry medals for bravery in Galwan Valley
Twenty-three Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) on 75th Independence Day. Out of these, as many as 20 have been awarded for bravery in Eastern Ladakh skirmishes in May-June, 2020. This is the highest number of gallantry medals for ITBP awarded for the bravery of its men in border face-off/skirmishes/border guarding duties.
Eight personnel have been awarded the PMG for the gallant act, meticulous planning and tactical insightfulness and for defending the motherland in Galwan Nalla on June 15 last year. A total of six personnel have been awarded PMG for gallant action during a violent face off on May 18 last year in the Finger IV area. Six personnel have been awarded PMG for their gallant action near Hot Springs in Ladakh on May 18 last year.
Besides above, 3 persons have been awarded PMG for displaying courage, grit and determination in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh in July 2018.
Gallantry medals list 
In eastern Ladakh, the ITBP troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to PLA advancing troops and brought the situation under control during fierce face-offs and skirmishes. With the highest order of professional skills, ITBP troops fought shoulder to shoulder and also brought the injured troops to the rear. Even when the ITBP troops fought the whole night, they received minimum casualties by giving befitting reply to the stone palters of the PLA. At places, they gave determined standoff about 17 to 20 hours throughout the intervening night in extremely challenging conditions.
Due to the high altitude training and survival experience of the force in the Himalayan deployments at the icy heights, the ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay and due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP troops at several fronts, many areas were safeguarded. The ITBP troops showed the highest level of devotion, courage, determination, utter disregard for personal safety even in injured conditions and exhibited great professional skills in the face of violent physical scuffle with the PLA.
Besides these gallantry medals, 300 ITBP personnel have already been awarded DG’s commendation roll and insignias for bravery by Sh SS Deswal, DG ITBP in Eastern Ladakh deployments of the ITBP in September last year.
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