Gangtok, Aug. 24: Sikkim boy Sanjog Chhetri will be conferred the highest peacetime military award posthumously on Republic Day 2004 for showing exceptional bravery in fighting terrorism.

Chhetri had died fighting terrorists at Surankot in Rajouri during operation Sarp Vinash in April.

The nation, recognising Sanjog’s valiant act of heroism, announced the award on Independence Day. The President during the forthcoming Republic Day parade in Delhi will confer the Ashok Chakra on the “hero of Surankot”. Sanjog’s sister Sanjita Chhetri will receive the award on behalf of her brother.

Interestingly, Republic Day also happens to be the birth anniversary of the brave commando.

For Chhetri’s grief stricken family in Boomtar, Namchi, the announcement of the Ashok Chakra for Sanjog has helped bring back some cheer.

Speaking over the phone from Namchi, Sanjog’s uncle J.B. Rai said: “We are very proud of him and the announcement has brought us some comfort in this time of grief. We miss him badly nevertheless.”

For Rai, Sanjog’s loss has come as a great shock, because he had raised his nephew like a son. Sanjog’s father passed away when he was five years old and his mother had remarried and settled in Nepal. Sanjog was left in his uncle’s care since then.

Rai recollected that Sanjog had always wanted to be a soldier and had joined the army when he was still in his second year at the Government College in Namchi. He enlisted with the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles and a year later joined the 9 Paramilitary Regiment as a commando.

Sanjog was still to complete training when he died fighting terrorists.

“His wish to join the army was fulfilled and he has performed exceptionally, making not only Sikkim but the entire country proud of him”, Rai said.

On April 22 the newly inducted commando showed true grit and bravery in Surankot in the Rajouri sector when a fierce encounter with terrorists got underway.

An army citation of his bravery mentioned that Sanjog and other commandos drew heavy fire on approaching a terrorist hideout. Sensing grave danger to his comrades, Sanjog attacked the hideout, lobbing grenades and shooting from the hip. He first killed one terrorist, receiving serious gunshot wounds in the process. Unmindful of his injuries, he killed two more terrorists, including one in hand-to-hand combat, before breathing his last.

Inspired by his supreme sacrifice, his comrades killed 13 terrorists that night.