SOURCE: AFP
On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, President Draupadi Murmu announced 103 gallantry awards to the personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Forces. It has four Kirti Chakra and 18 Shaurya Chakra awards. Two gallant Air Force soldiers were awarded the Shaurya Chakra and six soldiers were awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.
Awards were announced to 9 people posthumously. However.. One name is shocking in the announcement of the President’s awards. The President has posthumously announced the gallantry award to Jagilam Kent, who was a hero in ‘Operation Sujaligala’ undertaken by the Army against terrorists in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Jagilam lost her life in an encounter with terrorists on September 11 last year.
Kent, who has participated in nine counter-terrorism operations, also rescued her handler during a three-day operation in Narla village of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir in September last year. Jagilam, serving in the RR wing of Romeo Force in Rajouri sector, led ‘Operation Sujaligala’. Speaking on the death of Kent, a six-year-old Labrador belonging to the Army’s 21st Army Dog Unit (K9), a Defense Ministry official said Jagilam was leading a
Kent is said to have sacrificed his life in the best traditions of the Indian Army while protecting his handler. One jawan was martyred and three security personnel were injured in this encounter with the terrorists. At the same time, security forces also killed three terrorists.
The then Northern Army Commander and current Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi condoled Kent’s tragic death. Kent says she gave her life to save her handler. A training video was released on Kent’s death. In the video, he was seen walking with an army soldier. Kent can easily achieve his goal.. shows his dedication towards work. While bidding a formal farewell to Kent, the army wrapped Kent’s body in a tricolor flag and placed a wreath on it. An Army press brief has released stating that the golden colored Tracker Kent is Army Number 08B2.