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J&K governor presents gallantry medals

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Girish Chandra Saxena on Monday presented the Tamgaya-e-Shahadat [martyrdom medal] to widows of 35 policemen who laid down their lives fighting terrorism in the valley.

The institution of the award was the last order former chief minister Farooq Abdullah signed before he relinquished office on October 10, though he continued in caretaker capacity till October 17.

The Tamgaya-e-Shahadat is a 10-gram pure gold medal, and is given along with a silver plaque and a shawl. It was initiated as the state government's mark of respect to all those policemen who laid down their lives fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990.

Terming the award presentation as a 'dream come true', Abdullah said he was the 'happiest man on earth' as he could do 'something little for the brave policemen, who weathered all odds and frustrated the nefarious designs of the terrorists'.

Director General of Jammu and Police A K Suri said, "I feel proud of my boys, who laid their lives for this country."

He expressed hope that such awards would go a long way in boosting the morale of the state police.

In all 636 policemen have laid their lives since 1990 and efforts were on to present medals to the next of kin of all of them, Suri said.

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