Courageous, sincere, industrious and honest officer, MajorPreetam Singh Kunwar is amongst the one who is awarded Kirti Charka by President Ram NathKovindon 15th August 2017. The 35-year-old belongs to the fourth battalion of the Garhwal Rifle. He has been awarded for fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Major Preetam Singh Kunwar was born 20 December 1982 inDehradum (Uttarakhand).He was commissioned into 4 Garhwal Rifles on 22 March 2008 and deployed at Mendhar Sector in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of OP Rakshak. Post de-induction from Mendhar to New Delhi, the officer was actively awarded the General-Officer-in-Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command Commendation Card. He accompanied the unit of Balbir, Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2011 deployed along the Line of Control and worked with great zeal and enthusiasm by negating numerous infiltration attempts by terrorists. His timely efforts during this tenure at Balbir saved the life of Number 4084852W Lance NaikSukhpal Singh who was badly injured during an anti-terrorist operation. Post his de-induction,he was posted to Garhwal Rifles Regimental Center as Platoon Commander in the training battalion, where his involvement in training of recruits is praiseworthy.He has always shown keen interest in developing his professional attributes and over the years has become an important and indispensable part of 4 Garhwal Rifles.

On 25 May 2017, on being informed about the moment of terrorists, Major Preetam Singh Kunwar immediately moved from his post towards LC through heavily forested area infested with mines by creating improvised infantry safe lane. He stayed in the forest for 35 hours in inclement weather conditions. After visual confirmation of advancing terrorists, he evolved instantaneous plan and selected suitable killing ground. He showed great patience and fire control in letting the terrorist enter the killing ground and thereafter opened aimed fire. Undeterred by the heavy volume of fire and assault by Hand Grenades and HBGLs by terrorist, the officer was singularly responsible for elimination of three hardcore terrorists. Ultimately the infiltration bid was eliminated wherein, Major Preetam Singh Kunwar exhibited great courage and velour in killing three dreaded terrorist alongwith saving lives of fellow comrades and keeping with highest traditions of the Indian Army. This breathtaking and courageous act won him KIRTI CHAKRA.