Balod, Bhanuprappur, June 08: Three security personnel from Chhattisgarh will receive the Shaurya Chakra from President Droupadi Murmu at an investiture ceremony in New Delhi for exceptional bravery during anti-terror and anti-Naxal operations.

Assam Rifles personnel Bhojram Sahu will receive the gallantry award for eliminating three terrorists in Manipur despite sustaining a gunshot injury. Chhattisgarh Police Inspectors Laxman Kewat and Rameshwar Deshmukh will be honoured for leading from the front during a major anti-Naxal operation in Kanker district.

Recalling the Manipur operation, Sahu said security forces launched a search operation in Tengnoupal district on 15 November 2024 following specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement. An encounter broke out at around 9:30 PM IST during which he sustained a bullet wound but continued retaliatory firing, forcing the remaining terrorists to retreat.

Sahu, who hails from Dhorrithema village in Balod district’s Doundi block, is currently deployed with the Assam Rifles in the Northeast.

Inspectors Kewat and Deshmukh have been at the forefront of anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operations in the dense forests of Bastar and Rajnandgaon for years. Official records show Kewat has participated in 97 successful operations, while Deshmukh has been part of 56 missions.

Their most significant breakthrough came on 16 April 2024 during a joint security operation in the Hapatola forest under the Chhote Bethiya police station limits in Kanker district. The team neutralised 29 Naxalites, including 15 women cadres, marking it one of the biggest tactical successes in the state’s counter-insurgency history.

Kewat has previously received six President’s Police Medals alongside gallantry decorations from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF). Deshmukh has also been decorated twice by the President for distinguished service.

“Our ultimate goal is not merely neutralising cadres but restoring peace and rebuilding public trust in conflict-affected regions,” Kewat said, reacting to the announcement.

Kewat is currently posted at Pakhanjore, while Deshmukh serves as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhanupratappur police station.

Kanker Superintendent of Police Nikhil Akash Rakhecha said the national recognition is a proud moment for the entire state police force and will boost the morale of personnel serving in conflict zones.