National Security Guards commando Surjan Singh, injured during the Akshardham attack last year and still battling for life, was awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan today. His family, however, could not attend the ceremony.The evening saw Param Vishisth Seva medals, three Bar to Ati Vishisth Seva medals and 20 Ati Vishisth Seva medals being awarded to senior Armed forces officers besides 27 Shaurya Chakras for gallantry. Nine were awarded posthumously. Two civilians, Ravindra Kumar Sriwas from MP shared the rare honour posthumously along with ex-serviceman Bachittar Singh who single-handedly battled militants in his village in J-K.Two Navy personnel from the elite Marine Command Force — Lt Cdr Natesan Trichnapalli and Leading Seaman Tirath Singh were also awarded the Shaurya Chakra for operations against terrorists in J-K.
