NEW DELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Tuesday honoured 19 of its personnel for having displayed “exemplary courage and composure” in the face of heavy shelling and firing from Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, to keep critical national assets along the Indo-Pakistan border as well as residents of the surrounding townships, from harm.CISF director general Praveer Ranjan conferred the coveted ‘DG’s Disc’ on the 19 CISF personnel in recognition of “their pivotal role in safeguarding the Uri hydro-electric power projects (UHEB I and II) in Jammu & Kashmir during a critical phase of cross-border hostilities in May 2025”. The Uri hydropower installation, located barely 8-10 kms from the line of control (LoC), is protected by CISF, putting its personnel at the forefront of sudden escalation of hostilities with the neighbour.
Operation Sindoor was launched by the armed forces during the intervening night of May 6-7 this year, to demolish terrorist bases in Pakistan in the wake of killing of 26 civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam. The Pakistan Army hit back with indiscriminate shelling on Indian military facilities and civilian settlements along the border, endangering vital infrastructure including the Uri hydro-power projects.“Despite heavy enemy fire and severe risk to their own lives, CISF teams led by Commandant Ravi Yadav and supported by deputy commandant Manohar Singh and assistant commandant Subash Kumar, swiftly initiated protective measures to shield the installations and the surrounding townships. They carried out real-time analysis of incoming shell trajectories, identified safe zones and organised the relocation of residents to bunker shelters,” CISF said in a statement.CISF personnel undertook door-to-door evacuation of around 250 civilians — including women, children, NHPC staff and their families — in the shelling-hit areas. Even as rounds landed dangerously close to the premises, the personnel continued to reinforce bunkers, maintain communication lines through POLNET and satellite systems, and provided emergency assistance.CISF troops also neutralised hostile drones targeting the installations and secured armoury stockpiles by swiftly redistributing weapons to prevent potential destruction. “Throughout the crisis, the integrity of critical national assets remained intact,” said a CISF spokesperson.CISF DG on Tuesday said the force personnel had “upheld the highest traditions of the force, displaying rare courage under fire and unwavering commitment to national security”.
