Kalyan Das

kalyan.das@htlive.com

Dehradun : Subedar Mohammed Yaqoob Khan, a soldier from Kashmiri, was awarded Sena Medal for his exemplary bravery in neutralising five terrorists during an encounter along with his team in March 2018 near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara sector of Kashmir.

He was among the 32 awardees of Sena Medal in the Indian Army’s Western Command’s Investiture Ceremony held in Dehradun on Tuesday.

Khan is posted with the army’s Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (J&KLI). Earlier, he served with the army’s Rashtriya Rifles in counter-terrorism operations in the valley.

Terming the gallantry award as a moment of extreme pride, he said, “It not only made me proud but also my unit and family. I hope this would serve as an example for the youths in Kashmir and inspire them to serve the mother land.” He said, “I also hope that my case would serve as a lesson for them on the consequences of getting involved in wrong activities like terrorism and fruits of getting on the right path by joining the army.”

Remembering the encounter with terrorists for which he was awarded Sena Medal, Khan said it happened in the jungles near LoC in Kupwara sector. “Only those soldiers, who are on ground zero with terrorists, know what it feels like to be there,” he said.