India, Aug. 15 -- The Union government on Thursday announced Vir Chakra medals - India's third-highest wartime honour - posthumously to two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel for their heroic act during Operation Sindoor. Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu also approved 16 BSF personnel for the Medal for Gallantry (GM) for their exceptional bravery during India's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike.

The two BSF men - Sub Inspector Mohammed Imteyaz and Constable Deepak Chingakham - were on duty at border outpost Kharkola in Jammu, barely 200 metres from the International Border, which had come under intense shelling and drone attacks.

"On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, when rogue drones approach...