President Ramnath Kovind on Wednesday posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra to Assistant Sub Inspector Babu Ram of the Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Republic Day parade. Babu Ram's widow Rina Rani and son Manik received the award from President Kovind. ASI Babu Ram killed three terrorists during an operation in Srinagar on August 29, 2020. He displayed valour and exemplary raw courage in engaging and eliminating terrorists and died for the country.

President Kovind approved the top gallantry award for ASI Ram, who was from the Special Operations Group of JKP, on the eve of Independence Day last year. The Ashok Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.