New Delhi, Nov 02: The government today gave away war-time Vir Chakra awards to three army personnel for the first time since the 1999 Kargil conflict for displaying extreme courage and devotion to duty in fighting Pakistani forces along the along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Parikrama.
The three-- Major Manoj M Deshpande, Havildar Chuni Lal of the 8 Jammu and Kashmir light infantry and Major Amitabh Roy of the garhwal rifles-- were honoured with Vir Chakras awarded for gallantry in the face of enemy for what their citation described special missions on the LoC during the country's forward troop deployment against Pakistan.

In all, 76 defence personnel from the three services were given away gallantry medals by president A P J Abdul Kalam at a defence investiture ceremony at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Bureau Report