7 Cops Who Foiled '22 Amarnath Yatra Attack Win Gallantry Medals

Among the Awardees Are Former Kashmir Zone IGP Vijay Kumar, Srinagar Ex-SSP Rakesh Balwal, and DSP Humayun Bhat

- HTC and PTI

JAMMU: Seven of the 15 Jammu and Kashmir Police officers, including former Kashmir Zone Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar, who played a key role in averting a possible terror attack on the Amarnath Yatra three years ago, were awarded gallantry medals on the eve of Republic Day, officials said.

The Medal for Gallantry recipients also included Humayun Bhat, a deputy superintendent of police, who was one of four officers to lay down their lives during an encounter with terrorists in south Kashmir's Kokernag in September 2023.

Bhat had been honoured with the Kirti Chakra for extraordinary bravery on the eve of last year's Independence Day.

In addition to the 15 gallantry medals, Anand Jain and Nitish Kumar—two additional directors general of police-rank officers—received the President's Medal for Distinguished Service while 10 other officers were awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service.