An officer from Mohali, Major Arshdeep Singh Gill, has been awarded Kirti Chakra for gallantry on the eve of the Republic Day, for his role in operations in the northeast.

Serving with the First Battalion of the Assam Rifles, Maj Gill was leading a special patrol along Indo-Myanmar border in May 2025 to protect workers engaged in the construction of the border fence, when it came under sudden fire from a dominating height.

According to available details, he fearlessly executed a counter-ambush operation and assaulted the enemy position through dense undergrowth. Despite intense enemy fire, he neutralised multiple armed cadres, including one armed with an RPG launcher. He ensured zero casualties to own troops through exceptional leadership, gallantry and resolve.

The Kirti Chakra is the second highest peacetime award for gallantry. This year, there are only two recipients of the award, the other being Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of the 2nd Battalion of The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

A first-generation officer, he was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in June 2016 after passing out from the IMA. He is an alumnus of Chandigarh University and had earlier represented Punjab in hockey in the National Games from 2006 to 20210, according to family sources.