Award for ITBP jawan who fought terrorists in Afghanistan last yr

PANCHKULA: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawan Jitendra Singh Yadav — who fought terrorists at the Indian consulate in northern Afghanistan last year — was awarded with DG Insignia and Commendation on Saturday at the ITBP centre , though many believe he should have been conferred with the President Police Medal for Gallantry.

The 33-year-old was guarding the main gate of the consulate at Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan when a fidayeen attack took place on January 3 last year. He engaged the three terrorists and injured two of them. There was no casualty on at the Indian consulate and Afghan forces killed the terrorists later.

Other recipients of the awards said Yadav should have got the President’s medal.

Terrorists had launched the attack at 8:25pm, 25 minutes after the shift changed. Yadav, who hails from Jharkhand, was equipped with two grenades, a light machine gun and INSAS rifle. The terrorists attacked with rocket launchers, while Yadav relied on his INSAS rifle.

“Two of the three terrorists were injured and the third one came to their rescue and dragged them inside an abandoned German consulate. The gunfight continued for the next 27 hours,” said Yadav. He added, “I am happy that I saved 43 lives. But, I was told that if I had failed to foil the attack, I could have faced an inquiry.”

IG HS Goraya said, “I am not aware of his case. There are others who decide the awards.”