President Droupadi Murmu has approved a series of gallantry awards for Indian Navy personnel in recognition of their courage and selfless service during high-risk operations.
The awards, announced on the eve of Independence Day 2026, recognise personnel who displayed exceptional bravery while responding to emergencies in extremely dangerous conditions.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
President Droupadi Murmu approved eight gallantry-related honours for Indian Navy personnel.
The awards include one Shaurya Chakra. Three personnel received Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Four personnel were recognised through Mention-in-Despatches.
Lt Cdr Shivam Kumar received the Shaurya Chakra for his actions during the Gulf of Aden rescue.
Cdr Yuvraj Kumar and C Avinash Annaso were honoured for an aerial firefighting mission in Visakhapatnam.
The list includes one Shaurya Chakra, three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and four Mention-in-Despatches.
Among the awardees is Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar, who has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his actions during a high-risk rescue operation in the Gulf of Aden.
Lt Cdr Shivam Kumar's Gulf of Aden Rescue
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
These stories show that military bravery is not confined to combat situations. The recognised Navy personnel faced burning vessels, toxic environments, chemical fires, explosions and extreme operational conditions while carrying out their duties. Their actions demonstrate how courage and professional expertise come together when a situation leaves little room for error.
Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar, serving as the NBCD Officer onboard INS Trikand, displayed exceptional courage during an operation on October 18, 2025. INS Trikand had been directed to assist the MT Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker that suffered a catastrophic explosion and fire while sailing through the Houthi attack zone.The tanker was heavily damaged and remained at risk because of an ongoing LPG leak and the possibility of a secondary explosion.Two Indian crew members were reported missing inside compartments filled with toxic fumes, extreme heat and almost zero visibility.
Despite the risks, Lt Cdr Shivam Kumar voluntarily led the rescue effort. He repeatedly entered the hazardous compartments to conduct assessments and coordinate internal searches.
His actions ultimately helped recover the mortal remains of the missing crew members and ensured that they were brought out with dignity.
Aerial Firefighting Mission in Visakhapatnam
Two personnel were also recognised for an exceptionally difficult aerial firefighting operation in Visakhapatnam. Commander Yuvraj Kumar, Commanding Officer of INAS 350, and C Avinash Annaso, POA (FD), received the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their role in an operation conducted during the night of September 7–8, 2025.
A lightning strike had triggered a major fire at a volatile chemical tank at East India Petrochemical Limited.The intensity of the fire and the risk posed by nearby ethanol storage tanks made the situation particularly dangerous.
Commander Yuvraj Kumar volunteered to lead an unvalidated aerial firefighting operation using the Large Area Aerial Liquid Dispersion Equipment (LAALDE).
Operating only around 70–100 feet above the fire, he maintained the aircraft's position for more than four hours and carried out 20 foam drops despite intense heat, toxic fumes and turbulence. C Avinash Annaso operated as the critical rear-cabin member, coordinating the filling of the aerial firefighting equipment and providing continuous inputs to the cockpit in difficult flying conditions.Their combined efforts helped contain the chemical fire and reduce the risk of a much larger disaster.
