Aizawl – Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of 4 PARA (Special Forces) has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry medal, for his exceptional courage and valour during a classified high-risk operation. The award was conferred as part of the nation’s Independence Day honours.
Captain Sailo hails from Chanmari, Aizawl, and is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), National Defence Academy (NDA), and the Indian Military Academy (IMA). He is only the second person from Mizoram to receive the Kirti Chakra, following Subedar Chalhnuna of the Assam Rifles.
Though details of Captain Sailo’s operation remain classified, the recognition underscores his “extraordinary bravery under hostile conditions,” according to defence sources.
This year, the President of India approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service honours for various defence personnel. Captain Sailo is among just four recipients of the Kirti Chakra in 2025, alongside Lt. Shashank Tiwari, Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A, and Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar.
Captain Sailo's honour has been met with pride across Mizoram, with many hailing him as a role model for the youth. The recognition places him among India’s most valiant soldiers, highlighting not only his individual courage but also the growing contributions of the Northeast to the nation's armed forces.