in both the eastern and western theatres. For the first time in independent India's history, an airborne infantry battalion (2nd battalion, Parachute Regiment) was dropped at Tangail, which contributed substantially to speeding up the liberation of Bangladesh. Elements of the 2nd battalion became the first Indian troops to enter Dhaka. The regiment's Commando battalion proved their professional skills by conducting spectacular lightning raids into Chachro, Sindh, Pakistan and Mandhol, Jammu and Kashmir. The regiment earned the battle honours Poongli Bridge, Chachro, Mandhol and Defence of Poonch during these operations. While the 51st Parachute Brigade saw action in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, the 50th Parachute Brigade saw action initially in Bangladesh with 2 Para in the airborne role, 7 Para as the advance guard and the rest of the brigade in a ground role. The 50th Parachute Brigade then moved to assist its sister brigade in the western sector, thus becoming the only formation to see action on both fronts. Operation Pawan Five Parachute Regiment battalions (including the three Commando battalions) took part in Operation Pawan, as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. Operation Cactus With 6 Para as its spearhead and 7 Para as reserve, the 50th Parachute Brigade under Brig. Farukh Bulsara took part in Operation Cactus in November 1988, the first successful overseas intervention operation since Korea to rescue the president and aid the duly elected government of the Maldives. Counter insurgency operations Parachute Regiment battalions have been employed in counter-insurgency roles, both in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, earning fifteen COAS Unit Citations. The Ashok Chakra, India's highest gallantry award in peacetime, was awarded posthumously to:- Capt. Arun Singh Jasrotia (9 Para (SF), 1996) Maj. Sudhir Kumar Walia (9 Para (SF), 2000) Ptr. Sanjog Chhetri (9 Para (SF), 2003) Capt. Harshan R (2 Para (SF)) Hav. Bahadur Singh Bohra (10 Para (SF), 2008) Hav. Gajender Singh Bisht (10 Para (SF),SAG, 2009) Maj. Mohit Sharma (1 Para (SF), 2010) L.Nk. Mohan Nath Goswami (9 Para (SF),2016) 9 Para (Special Forces) was conferred the "Bravest of the Brave" honour in 2001. Kargil War In 1999, seven out of the ten parachute regiment battalions were deployed in Kargil district, Jammu and Kashmir, as part of Operation Vijay, which bears testimony to the operational profile of the regiment. 6 Para and 7 Para, along with 1 Para (SF) cleared the Mushkoh Valley intrusions, while 5 Para was