Imphal: Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF of 21 Para (Special Forces), a native of Tadubi in Manipur\u2019s Senapati district, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra for exceptional courage and leadership during a seven-day counter-insurgency operation in the state.<\/p>\n
The gallantry award was announced on Independence Day 2026. The Kirti Chakra is among India\u2019s highest peacetime military honours.<\/p>\n
According to the official citation, Lieutenant Colonel Francis spent several months strengthening an intelligence network to track and map insurgent groups operating in Manipur. He also conducted specialised, mission-oriented training for his assault team following a series of major violent incidents in the region.<\/p>\n
During the week-long operation, Francis led the elite team through challenging and high-risk conditions. The team established contact with heavily armed insurgents and offered them an opportunity to surrender, but the militants responded with sustained automatic weapons fire.<\/p>\n
Francis then repositioned his team towards the northern flank of the insurgents\u2019 hideout and neutralised an armed sentry.<\/p>\n
The citation said the officer displayed exceptional personal courage when a concealed insurgent pinned down the assault team with continuous firing. Francis moved across exposed ground despite heavy incoming fire and engaged the gunman at close range, ultimately eliminating the threat.<\/p>\n
His actions during the operation, according to the citation, demonstrated exceptional leadership, tactical acumen and disregard for personal safety in the face of extreme danger.<\/p>\n