Army officer Capt Sailo becomes second Mizo to win Kirti Chakra

Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of Mizoram has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for exceptional bravery during a counter-terror operation in Srinagar. The 27-year-old Special Forces officer is only the second Mizo to receive the honour

Aizawl: Captain Lalrinawma Sailo, a 27-year-old Army officer from Mizoram, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award. Capt Sailo who became the second Mizo officer to receive the award displayed warrior ethos, uncanny intelligence skills and embodied the finest traditions of Special Forces, according to an X post by President Droupadi Murmu.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of 4 Para (Special Forces) on being conferred the Kirti Chakra.” In recognition of his achievement, the Mizoram government will provide Capt Sailo with Rs 10 lakh, an official said.

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The Army officer received the bravery award from President Droupadi Murmu during phase I of the Defence Investiture ceremony hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

“During a counter-terror operation in Srinagar district, he positively identified a high-profile terrorist and neutralised him. Displaying daunting courage and devotion to duty, he neutralised the remaining terrorists also at close range,” Murmu said in her post.

Capt Sailo earned the award for his exceptional courage during Operation Sindoor, his father Saihmingliana Sailo told PTI.

He was among seven recipients of the Kirti Chakra, including two posthumous awards, honoured for displaying exceptional bravery and total disregard for personal safety in the line of duty.

Born in March 1999, Captain Sailo hails from Aizawl’s Chanmari locality. He studied at the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun before joining the National Defence Academy in 2018.

The youngest of three siblings, he was subsequently commissioned into the Indian Army in 2021.

With this honour, Capt Sailo becomes only the second Mizo to receive the Kirti Chakra.

The first recipient from the state was Subedar Chalhnuna Lushai of the Assam Rifles, who was awarded the gallantry medal in 1968.