Rayees Bhat among 6 get Police Medals
Srinagar: On the eve of the country’s Independence Day, 52 J&K Police personnel were awarded gallantry and meritorious service medals on Friday.
An official statement said that 51 Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel have been selected for prestigious police medals on the occasion of Independence Day.
The honours include 38 Medals for Gallantry (GM) and 13 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM), while one J&K Home Guard and Civil Defence personnel has also been selected for the meritorious service medal (MSM).
The awards recognise acts of bravery, distinguished service and meritorious contributions in policing and other uniformed services.
Medal for Gallantry (GM) has been given to 38 personnel, including senior officers DIG Shiv Kumar, SSP Shobhit D. Saksena, and SP Mushtaq Ahmad; DySP Sarfaraz Bashir received the second bar to the GM.
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) has 13 recipients among police personnel.
President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) has been awarded to SSP Shoket Hussain Shah.
On the country’s Republic Day this year, 52 J&K Police personnel were awarded medals, including 33 for gallantry.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has awarded six Police Officers, including Inspector General of Police Sarah Rizvi, DIG Rayees Mohammad Bhat, and SSP Manjit Kour with Jammu and Kashmir Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of 80th Independence Day.
Sinha extended congratulations to J&K Police personnel who have been conferred national awards on the occasion of Independence Day 2026.
In a post on X, the LG greeted all officers and personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police who have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry, President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and Medal for Meritorious Service.
Sinha said the courage and unwavering devotion to duty displayed by the awardees reflect the highest traditions of public service.
“The nation is proud of their exemplary commitment and sacrifice,” the LG said.
The Lieutenant Governor also congratulated personnel of Home Guards and Civil Defence who have been named for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Police Zone congratulated its officers and personnel who were honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and Police Medal for Gallantry.
“J&K Police congratulates all its officers & jawans who have been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and Police Medal for Gallantry,” the Kashmir Police Zone said in a post on X.
The police said the recipients’ exemplary service stood as an inspiring example of duty.
This year, 51 J&K Police personnel have been honoured with national medals, including 38 Police Medal for Gallantry and 13 Police Medal for Meritorious Services.
Last year, on Independence Day, J&K Police achieved the highest number in the country with 127 Gallantry Medals out of 152 total regional awards.
J&K Police has been at the forefront of fighting terrorism in the union territory. After initial hiccups in the early 1990s when J&K Police were shown as shying away from fighting terrorism, the force immediately braced up, taking the lead in not only fighting terrorism, but also in making supreme sacrifices for the security and integrity of the country.
The UT police are recognised as one of the bravest and most disciplined police forces in the country, creating role models for the forces of other states and union territories.
Since 1989, over 1,600 Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, including Special Police Officers, have made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorism and maintaining peace and security in the region.
