Meet Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis: Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra Awardee of 21 Para Special Forces

In the high-stakes world of India’s Special Forces operations in the Northeast, few officers have demonstrated the combination of intelligence mastery, tactical precision, and personal courage that defines Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF of 21 Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

Hailing from Tadubi village in Senapati district of Manipur, this officer has now been awarded the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry decoration—the Kirti Chakra—on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day. The award comes just two years after he received the Shaurya Chakra for an earlier operation in the same theatre. Together, the two decorations mark him as one of the most decorated serving officers of 21 PARA (SF) in recent years.

From Tadubi to the Maroon Beret

Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF growing up in the hills of Senapati, he developed an intimate understanding of the terrain and social dynamics of Manipur knowledge that would later prove invaluable in counter-insurgency operations.

He graduated from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in June 2012 and was commissioned into the Indian Army. He was selected for the elite 21 PARA (Special Forces), a unit under Eastern Command renowned for its expertise in airborne operations, jungle warfare, and direct-action missions against insurgent groups in the Northeast.

Building the Intelligence Edge in Manipur

Deployed in Manipur from 2022 as an Assault Team Commander, then-Major Francis quickly distinguished himself by establishing a highly effective human intelligence network. Through sustained surveillance and close monitoring of Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs), he accumulated precise, actionable intelligence that allowed his team to stay ahead of threats.

His work went beyond routine collection. It systematically disrupted the ability of insurgent groups to plan and execute attacks, contributing to the broader security effort in a region long plagued by ethnic violence and militant activity.

Shaurya Chakra: The Night of 4–5 January 2023

The defining moment of his first major recognition came on the night of 4–5 January 2023. Acting on reliable intelligence of a planned sabotage attempt targeting a VIP, Major Francis meticulously planned and executed a counter-operation.

After prolonged surveillance, his team identified a likely insurgent crossing point near a Border Pillar and established an ambush. Four heavily armed cadres approached the site. When challenged, the insurgents opened heavy automatic fire.

Unmindful of personal safety, Major Francis swiftly manoeuvred his team, outflanked the group, and closed in for combat. In a fierce close-quarters engagement, he eliminated a high-ranking insurgent commander—referred to as a “Self Style Major”—who was identified as a mastermind behind previous attacks on Assam Rifles personnel. He also injured another militant. Continuing to engage the remaining insurgents who were following the leading group, he ensured the safety of his own men and successfully foiled the planned attack. Recoveries from the site later confirmed the significance of the operation.

For this display of meticulous planning, resolute leadership, raw courage under fire, and selfless conduct, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra on Republic Day 2024. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the decoration at Rashtrapati Bhavan during the Defence Investiture Ceremony.

Promotion and Continued Operations

In the years that followed, Major Francis was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while continuing to serve as Assault Team Commander of 21 PARA (SF). In October 2025, the Government of Manipur felicitated him at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, along with other gallantry awardees, recognising his outstanding contribution to security in the state.

He remained deeply involved in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. One such operation on 4 November 2025 saw him leading as Team Commander in a cordon involving troops under Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bisht (also of 21 PARA SF), who later received a Shaurya Chakra in the same Independence Day 2026 list.

Kirti Chakra: Leading from the Front Once Again

The Kirti Chakra citation, approved by President Droupadi Murmu on 14 August 2026, highlights an even more complex and high-risk operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis had spent several months developing detailed intelligence on a high-profile violent insurgent group and conducting target-specific training for his team. After seven days of protracted and intense surveillance, the assault team approached the hideout and called upon the insurgents to surrender peacefully.

The response was heavy automatic fire. Displaying exceptional tactical acumen, Lieutenant Colonel Francis manoeuvred his assault group from the north of the hideout and eliminated one sentry. He then outflanked another heavily armed insurgent who had pinned down the entire assault group. Crawling under intense fire with complete disregard for his own safety, he closed in and eliminated the militant in close-quarter combat using superior combat skills.

The official citation praises him for “resolute leadership, superior tactical acumen, the raw courage under fire in eliminating two heavily armed insurgents, meticulous planning, gallant and selfless acts.” For these actions, he was awarded the Kirti Chakra—India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

A Rare Double Distinction

Receiving both the Shaurya Chakra and the Kirti Chakra within a short span places Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis among a select group of officers whose sustained performance in one of India’s most challenging operational environments has been recognised at the highest levels.

His story is particularly significant as a son of Manipur who has repeatedly put himself in harm’s way to neutralise threats within his home state. In an era when the Northeast continues to demand specialised skills, local knowledge, and extraordinary courage, officers like him embody the quiet professionalism of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF remains a serving officer with 21 PARA (SF), continuing the unit’s tradition of operating in the shadows to protect the nation. His two gallantry awards stand as a testament to leadership under fire, intelligence-driven operations, and an unwavering commitment to mission success and the safety of his men.