Guwahati, Aug. 23: An inspector of Assam police commando battalion, Lohit Sonowal, has become the first policeman from the state to (posthumously) receive the country’s second highest peacetime gallantry award, Kirti Chakra.

Assam police said Sonowal sacrificed his life to rescue a woman and her child who were caught in a fierce crossfire between Ulfa militants and the security forces.

A statement issued by the police today said President Pranab Mukherjee has approved conferring of Kirti Chakra posthumously on Sonowal for his gallant role during an encounter with Ulfa militants on April 19, 2013 at Number 1 Kordoiguri village under Baghjan police station in Tinsukia district.

The President will confer the award during an investiture ceremony which will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April next year.

The Kirti Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the the Maha Vir Chakra and second only to the Ashok Chakra.

The military decoration is awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.

It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.