On the eve of Republic Day, the commanding officers of the 4 & 9 Para Special Forces which took part in last year's surgical strikes+ were awarded Yudh Seva medals.

© Reuters

Major Mohit Suri of the 4th Para was awarded the Kirti Chakra, and five personnel who were part of the operation were awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

The Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra are peacetime gallantry awards, while the Yudh Seva medal is a wartime award.

The Army conducted surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control in September last year, after a terrorist attack on an Army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 19 jawans.

The strikes were widely hailed by as a strong move against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, and the Army's new chief General Bipin Rawat has said it is prepared to use the tactic again if needed.