Major General Hardev Singh Lidder, the officer who led the operation 'Sarp Vinash' against militants in Surankote forests, and Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Shantanou Choudhary were among 81 armed forces personnel decorated by President A P J Abdul Kalam at a military investiture in New Delhi on Thursday.

Lidder was decorated with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal along with Maj Gen Satyevir Yadav, who led anti-militancy operations with distinction in frontier Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Over 95 militants were killed in Operation Sarp Vinash.

President Kalam also presented 15 Param Vishist Seva Medals, four Kirti Chakras, one bar to Ati Vishist Seva Medal, 26 AVSMs and 33 Shaurya Chakras.

Among the four recipients of Kirti Chakras, the nation's second highest gallantry award, three -- Captain Dalip Kumar Jha, Lance Naik Sohavir and Sepoy Swaran Kumar -- were awarded the medals posthumously for their exploits against militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Major Ajay Kothiyal was the fourth winner.

Among the 15 recipients of PVSMs, the nation's highest award for distinguished service, were Lt Gen Richard Khare Director General of Military Operations; Lt Gen Vinayak Gopal Patankar, Quarter Master General; Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma, GoC of Srinagar-based 15 Corp and Air Marshal Anil Trikha.

Of the 33 Shaurya Chakras, as many as nine were awarded posthumously. The high-domed Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan resounded to thunderous cheers as widows and parents of martyred heroes walked up to the dais to receive the awards.