New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS): Sub-inspector K.L.V.S.S.H.N.V. Prasad Babu of Andhra Pradesh's anti-Maoist force was Thursday posthumously named for the country's highest peacetime gallantry award Ashok Chakra.

An official release said Prasad Babu had shown extreme courage in battling Maoists.

"The officer while leading an assault unit of Greyhounds in an anti-Maoist operation near the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border ... was instrumental in killing nine top-cadre Maoists before attaining martyrdom," the release said.

Greyhounds are an elite commando force of Andhra Pradesh created to combat left-wing extremists.

President Pranab Mukherjee has also approved other gallantry awards to 42 personnel from the defence and security forces.

Three personnel have been approved for Kirti Chakra and 10 for Shaurya Chakra.

The Kirti Chakra winners include Major Mahesh Kumar of the Army, Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy of the Navy and Lohit Sonowal, an inspector with the Assam government who was given the award posthumously.

Two soldiers have been approved for Bar to Sena medal (gallantry) and 21 for Sena Medal (gallantry).

The president has also approved Vayu Sena medal (gallantry) for five Indian Air Force personnel and Nao Sena Medal (gallantry) to one Naval officer.