Jammu, Jan 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government has honoured 56 individuals from different fields, including Adil Hussain Shah, a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said on Monday.
Shah, a resident of Hapatnar village in Pahalgam, lost his life while trying to save tourists during a terror attack in Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025. He confronted Pakistani terrorists during the assault in which 25 tourists were killed. He has been posthumously awarded for his bravery, which includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
The awards were announced through an order issued by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department.
Police Sub-Inspector Nikhil Kumar of Gangyal Police Station was also recognised for bravery and will receive a cash reward of Rs 51,000 along with a citation.
Twelve media professionals were honoured for their contribution to journalism. The awardees include Inayat Jehangir, Avtar Krishan Bhat, Vivek Suri, Sunil Ji Bhat, Dinesh Manhotra, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Razia Noor, Ishfaq Gowhar Zargar, Syed Khalid Hussain, Sarosh Kafeel, Somil Abrol, and Neeta Sharma.
Former IAS officer Mohammad Shafi Pandit was posthumously conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Awards for Meritorious Public Service were given to Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu V S Senthil Kumar, Managing Director J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Tariq Ganai, Additional Secretary GAD Rohit Sharma, Superintending Engineer PWD (R&B) Pooja Wazir, and Dr Majid Jahangir, Principal of Government Medical College Baramulla.
In the field of literature, the awardees include Yashpaul Nirmal (Dogri), Choudhary Hassan Parwaz (Gojri), Parwaiz Manoos (Pahari), Fayaz Dilbar (poet, posthumously), Kewal Krishan Sharma (writer-poet), and Rattan Lal Sharma (writer and translator).
Outstanding sportsperson awards were presented to cricketers Aquib Nabi Dar and Brijesh Sharma, judokas Rakesh Singh and Vishal Khajuria, wushu player Saleem Kumar, athletes Ravees Ahmad and Mohammad Iqbal, gymnast Sudipti Khanna, and skater Aiyza Naz Chib.
The performing arts category included Tanya Dev Gupta (singer), Anil Tickoo (actor), Ayash Arif (actor-director), Abdul Hamid Bhat (Rabab artist), Raman Singh Slathia (Dogri folk singer), Sunil Sharma (singer and music director), Ajay Kumar Sharma (theatre artist), Sudesh K Verma (producer-director), and Neeraj Verma (tabla artist).
Awards for excellence in arts and crafts were given to Sajjad Hussain Bhat (Sozni artisan), Bhushan Kesar (artist and art educator), Mohammad Shafi Bhat (Kani artisan), Razia Mushtaq (artisan), and Ishfar Ali (senior craft instructor, paper pulp).
For social reforms and empowerment, the awardees include Arhan Bagati, founder of KYARI; Mehjabeen Nabi, founder of the Care Foundation and Charitable Trust; and Saadat Nasir Wani Sogami, chairman of Team Red NGO, Kashmir.
In the category of Outstanding Industrial Entrepreneurship, honours were conferred on Mohammad Niyaz-ul-Kabir of GR8 Sports, Sheikh Yameen of Heaventure Adventures Private Limited, and Sunil Singh, a walnut grower from Kishtwar Gold Walnut Farm.
