NEW DELHI, MARCH 19: Irfan Ramzan Sheikh showed exemplary courage when, in 2017, he had foiled an attack by terrorists on his house in Jammu and Kashmir. Two years later, he showed exemplary poise as he received the Shaurya Chakra from President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.
Irfan was just 14 back in October of 2017 when his house was attacked by three terrorists. Carrying rifles and grenades, they had come with the intention of killing Sheikh’s father – Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, a political activist.
Irfan had opened the door of his house when he heard a noise outside and it is then that he spotted the terrorists. In a show of unparalleled courage, Irfan stopped them from entering his house – even engaging them in a fistfight. Mohammad also reached the door and tried to help Irfan in beating back the terrorists who eventually opened fire. While Mohammad was seriously injured, Irfan managed to eventually fight off the terrorists. One of the terrorists was also injured in the incident but was left to fend for himself.
Sheikh was hailed as a hero by the local community and tales of his unwavering valour spread far and wide.
On Tuesday, the teenager was as unwavering as ever in the presence of the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other high-ranking dignitaries. At the ceremony, he was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra which is awarded for ‘gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.’
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