IPS officer Divya D (centre) to be honoured with Gallantry award on I-Day | Source: @DivyaDev_ips IPS officer Divya D, the only woman officer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive the Gallantry Medal on this year’s Independence Day, has played a significant role in counter-terrorism operations and investigations, officials said on Friday. Divya D served as Superintendent of Police, State Investigation Agency (SIA), and SP Sopore before being transferred to Puducherry. During her tenure as SP Sopore, security forces achieved major successes in a series of counter-terror operations, resulting in the neutralisation of seven foreign terrorists, including A++ category and high-value commanders, they said. The officials said the operations included the Nowpora Sopore encounter in which two foreign terrorists were neutralised, including Saifullah, an A++ category terrorist. The other operation took place at Hadipora in Rafiabad area in which Abu Usman, an A++ category North Kashmir Commander, and Abu Umar were neutralised, they said. Two foreign terrorists were neutralised in the Zalura operation, while another foreign terrorist was killed in the Rampur encounter. The officials credited Divya D’s operational planning, leadership and field presence for a series of successful counter-terror operations during her tenure. She has also earned recognition for her investigative acumen while serving with the State Investigation Agency (SIA). During her tenure in the SIA, she spearheaded the re-investigation of the decades-old Sarla Bhatt rape and murder case, submitting a detailed 737-page charge sheet.