<p>Kumar is credited with leading multiple missions to Siachen area between 1978 to 1981 and gaining highly valuable terrain and enemy information which formed the bedrock for the subsequent launch of the 'Operation Meghdoot' there in 1984.<br /><br />The award instituted by the United Service Institution of India in 1888 was conferred on Kumar in presence of the three services chiefs.<br /><br />Commending Kumar for his contributions to military mountaineering, ACM Naik said the expeditions led by him were "extremely valuable" as they had helped the country safeguard its territory in Siachen.<br /><br />Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said the Indian Army had honoured the officer by naming a post in the Siachen glacier as 'Kumar post' and the adversaries have also appreciated his valiant efforts.<br /><br />"Kumar's expeditions have helped India gain commanding positions in those commanding heights," he added.<br /><br />Presenting a memento to Kumar, Army Chief General V K Singh said he had read Kumar's reports about various expeditions led by him to Siachen. "These reports helped in planning the Operation Meghdoot in a better way."<br /><br />An elated Kumar said, "I have received various awards for mountaineering in my career but this a special one as it is for the profession of soldiering."<br /><br />Kumar is a recipient of the Arjuna award, Padma Shri and Kirti Chakra. He was the first person to have led expeditions to Siachen glacier where he detected the presence of foreign mountaineers who were coming there with Pakistan's permission.<br /><br />After knowing about Pakistan's intent to occupy the territory, India launched Operation Meghdoot in April, 1984 and gained control of the dominating heights in the glacier.<br /></p>
<p>Kumar is credited with leading multiple missions to Siachen area between 1978 to 1981 and gaining highly valuable terrain and enemy information which formed the bedrock for the subsequent launch of the 'Operation Meghdoot' there in 1984.<br /><br />The award instituted by the United Service Institution of India in 1888 was conferred on Kumar in presence of the three services chiefs.<br /><br />Commending Kumar for his contributions to military mountaineering, ACM Naik said the expeditions led by him were "extremely valuable" as they had helped the country safeguard its territory in Siachen.<br /><br />Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said the Indian Army had honoured the officer by naming a post in the Siachen glacier as 'Kumar post' and the adversaries have also appreciated his valiant efforts.<br /><br />"Kumar's expeditions have helped India gain commanding positions in those commanding heights," he added.<br /><br />Presenting a memento to Kumar, Army Chief General V K Singh said he had read Kumar's reports about various expeditions led by him to Siachen. "These reports helped in planning the Operation Meghdoot in a better way."<br /><br />An elated Kumar said, "I have received various awards for mountaineering in my career but this a special one as it is for the profession of soldiering."<br /><br />Kumar is a recipient of the Arjuna award, Padma Shri and Kirti Chakra. He was the first person to have led expeditions to Siachen glacier where he detected the presence of foreign mountaineers who were coming there with Pakistan's permission.<br /><br />After knowing about Pakistan's intent to occupy the territory, India launched Operation Meghdoot in April, 1984 and gained control of the dominating heights in the glacier.<br /></p>