Two army jawans, Havildars Bhagwan Singh and A D Singh, who saved many lives from the burning bogies of the Frontier Mail last week, were decorated by Army Chief General NC Vij on Wednesday with commendation cards and cash awards.

The army chief said both soldiers had brought laurels to the army, and their names will be sent for a Presidential citation for Independence Day awards.

"They undertook the herculean rescue work on their own and it is this motivation and dedication that makes the Indian army the finest army in the world," Vij said.

The two soldiers from the 119 Assault Engineers regiment boarded the ill-fated Frontier Mail from Ambala Cantonment on May 15.

Soon after the fire and smoke was noticed in their adjacent coach, the soldiers, showing quick response and presence of mind, immediately pulled the alarm chain bringing the train to a halt.

"They helped the panic stricken passengers to disembark and continued with their mercy mission till it became too suffocating," the soldiers award citation said.

The two soldiers also entered coach S-4 and rescued four people from the burning bogie, including two children and a woman and also assisted the train guard to detach the burning coach to bring the engine and other coaches away to a safe distance.

Vij also handed over a cash award of Rs 5,000 each to the two jawans.