On the eve of Independence Day, the government announced gallantry and distinguished service awards for 36 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and several Army officers for their roles in Operation Sindoor — the retaliatory strikes launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Nine IAF officers were awarded the Vir Chakra for their exceptional bravery in executing high-risk aerial strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The awardees are Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Group Captain Manish Arora, Group Captain Animesh Patni, Group Captain Kunal Kalra, Wing Commander Joy Chandra, Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar, Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur.
From the Indian Army, Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, and Rifleman Sunil Kumar were also conferred the Vir Chakra.
In a historic first, seven senior military leaders received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the nation’s highest wartime distinguished service honour, for their exceptional operational planning and leadership during the mission.
President Droupadi Murmu also approved several other gallantry awards, including the Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and Yudh Seva Medal, reflecting the Armed Forces’ exemplary coordination and valour in carrying out one of the most significant cross-border operations in recent years.
