Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to the soldiers, who lost their lives in the avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I respectfully pay homage to the brave jawans, who lost their life due to avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir. The soldiers have been guarding the border to defend our country from the rivals," he said while addressing the nation in the 28th edition of his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' programme.
He further congratulated the kin of the martyred, who were honoured with bravery awards on the eve of Republic Day.
At least 15 Indian soldiers lost their lives in two separate avalanches in Gurez and Sonmarg on January 25.
A total of 777 security personnel, including the police and paramilitary force, were awarded medals on the occasion of 68th Republic Day while 100 personnel were honoured with the gallantry awards.
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Apart from the police force, the Border Security Force ( BSF) received five PMGs, the Central Industrial Security Force ( CISF)-16, and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) received one gallantry award.
Major Rohit Suri and nineteen heroes of the Indian army's 4 and 9 Para Special Forces (SF) who successfully carried out the surgical strike along the Line of Control (LoC) in September last year were also honoured with gallantry award.
Suri was awarded the Kirti Chakra, second highest peacetime gallantry award.
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