NEW DELHI, Aug. 15 -- President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous medals, to personnel from the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces, the defence ministry said.

Among the gallantry medals cleared by the President on the eve of the 80th Independence Day include nine Kirti Chakras, one bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, five bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

These include seven personnel posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the country's second-highest peace-time gallantry award. One Shaurya Chakra and five Sena Medals (gallantry) will be awarded posthumously.

The Kirti Chakra ...