The Hindu, Friday the 20th March, 2009
New Delhi (PTI): Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta and IFS officer V Venkateswara Rao killed in the Indian embassy bombing in Kabul, were among the 13 personnel from the armed forces and police and civilian services to be awarded Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry medal, here on Thursday.
President Pratibha Patil also honoured two ITBP constables killed in the Kabul terror attack on July 7 last year and three Maharashtra policemen killed in the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26 with the Kirti Chakra.
The 75-minute ceremony, during which Mrs. Patil awarded 14 Param Vishist Seva Medals, 25 Ati Vishist Seva Medals and 23 Shaurya Chakras, was also attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and Defence Minister A K Antony.
Brigadier Mehta was the Defence Attache in the Indian embassy in Kabul and was entering the embassy in his car when a terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the building, killing him.
Rao, who was a counsellor in the Embassy in Kabul, had volunteered to the post fully aware of the security situation in Afghanistan. He too was killed in the terror attack on the building. |