Know more about the 21 heroes after whom Andaman & Nicobar Islands were named

Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees on the occasion of Parakram Diwas. The move is a tribute to India's heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. Here we list the details of the 21 Indian heroes after whom the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were named. Take a look...

On the occasion of Netaji’s 126th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 islands of the Union Territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees. Credit: PTI Photo

Somnath Sharma: He received the first Param Vir Chakra posthumously in 1950 for his exceptional bravery while leading his men on a fighting patrol to Budgam village in Kashmir while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar airport in November 1947. Credit: NAMO App

Karam Singh: Hon Captain Karam Singh was awarded the prestigious Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in 1948 when Jammu & Kashmir came under attack. Credit: Twitter/@banasinghpvc

Ram Raghoba Rane: Major Ram Raghoba Rane played an important role in the Indo-Pak war in 1948. He fought tirelessly for more than 72 hours, clearing the route for Indian tanks to advance in Rajouri. Credit: Twitter/@capt_amarinder

Jadunath Singh: Nayak Jadunath Singh was awarded a Param Vir Chakra posthumously for single-handedly attacking at the enemy despite being heavily injured. Credit: NAMO App

Piru Singh: Havildar Piru Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his brave sacrifice after he destroyed the enemy position at an occupied hill feature at Thithwal in J&K in 1948. Credit: NAMO App

GS Salaria: Captain GS Salaria was the only recipient of this coveted award given to a soldier in an UN operation. He was part of an UN operation in Congo in 1961, where his contingent established a UN roadblock by thwarting strong rebel forces. Credit: Twitter/@adgpi

Dhan Singh Thapa: Lt Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa is known for his valour in the operation against the Chinese in 1962. He killed many Chinese troops in a hand-to-hand fight in the deep trenches. Credit: NAMO App

Joginder Singh: Though heavily outnumbered, Subedar Joginder Singh led his troops against a Chinese assault in 1962 and defended his post until he was wounded and captured. Singh was martyred from his injuries while in Chinese custody. Credit: NAMO App

Shaitan Singh: Major Shaitan Singh PVC, fought off over 1000 Chinese soldiers at an altitude of over 18,000 feet J&K in 1962. Despite heavy artillery shelling and fierce assaults, Major Shaitan Singh and other soldiers throttled the Chinese advancement. Credit: NAMO App

Abdul Hamid: CQMH Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Credit: NAMO App

Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore: Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was awarded posthumously for his bravery displayed during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Credit: NAMO App

Lance Naik Albert Ekka: Albert Ekka was martyred in action in the Battle of Gangasagar, during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Ekka was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for valour in the face of the enemy. Credit: NAMO App

Hoshiar Singh: Major Hoshiar Singh was successfully led a company of 3 GRENADIERS and captured the enemy after a fierce hand-to-hand fight during India-Pakistan War in 1971. Credit: NAMO App

Arun Khetarpal: Second Lt Arun Khetarpal made the supreme sacrifice for the Indian Army during the 1971 War with Pakistan in The Battle of Bassantar. He was awarded the hallowed PVC, India's highest wartime honour. He was just 21 when he destroyed seven Pakistan Patton tanks in the battle. Credit: Twitter/@INCIndia

Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon: Flying Officer Sekhon was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a PAF air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Credit: NAMO App

Ramaswamy Parameswaran: Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his valour during a search operation in Sri Lanka in 1987. Credit: NAMO App

Subedar Bana Singh: Subedar Bana Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal in India for his bravery during Operation Rajiv in 1987. Credit: NAMO App

Vikram Batra: Vikram Batra was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor for his bravery during an assault in Operation Vijay where inspired his troops to capture Point 4875. Credit: NAMO App

Manoj Kumar Pandey: Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey was martyred during Operation Vijay where he was tasked to clear Khalubar Ridge in Batalik, Jammu & Kashmir. He fearlessly assaulted the enemy, killing four enemy troops and destroying two bunkers before laying down his life for the nation. Credit: NAMO App

Sanjay Kumar: Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar was awarded with the Param Vir Chakra for his part in the Operation Vijay. Credit: NAMO App

Yogender Singh Yadav: Subedar Major Grenadier Yogendra Yadav from Meerut, a soldier who killed 17 Pakistani soldiers alone, was martyred in Kargil in the historic war of 1999. Credit: Twitter/@adgpi