New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, has conferred Ashok Chakra (posthumously) on Havildar Hangpan Dada of the 35th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, it was announced here.

Havildar Hangpan Dada showed exemplary courage and gallantry during an encounter on May 26 with a group of terrorists in the Naugam Sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir and killed three of them before attaining martyrdom, an official release here said.

Havildar Dada, along with his section, was tasked to chase and trap the fleeing terrorists in the inhospitable snowbound terrain. Moving quickly, Dada blocked the escape route of the terrorists.

In the ensuing gunfight, he displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind and killed two terrorists though he himself was grievously injured.

Undeterred, Dada went after the remaining terrorists. In the process, he came face to face with the third terrorist whom he killed in hand-to-hand combat before laying down his life.