Their courage, precision, and unflinching resolve in the face of danger have once again kept the nation’s head held high. On the eve of Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved a sweeping list of gallantry and distinguished service awards for the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, recognising acts of exceptional bravery and outstanding service.
A total of 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards have been announced, with Operation Sindoor — India’s swift and decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack — emerging as the defining operation behind some of the most prestigious honours this year.
Vir Chakra for 13 Bravehearts of Operation Sindoor
Thirteen personnel — nine from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and four from the Indian Army — have been awarded the Vir Chakra, the nation’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for their valour during Operation Sindoor, launched in May to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
IAF awardees include:
- 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
- Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur
Army awardees include:
- Colonel Koshank Lamba (302 Medium Regiment)
- Lt Colonel Sushil Bisht (1988 Medium Battery)
- Naib Subedar Satish Kumar (4 Dogra)
- Rifleman Sunil Kumar (4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry)
While the detailed citations remain classified, it is understood that these honours recognise acts of extraordinary bravery in hostile conditions, meticulous mission execution, and a significant blow dealt to terrorist operations across the Line of Control.
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for Operational Masterminds
In a rare recognition of strategic leadership, seven senior military officers have been conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for exceptional operational planning, coordination, and execution during Operation Sindoor.
Awardees include:
- Lt Gen Pratik Sharma – Northern Army Commander
- Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai – Former Director General of Military Operations
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh – Former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command
- Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari – Vice Chief of Air Staff
- Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor – Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra – Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command
- Air Marshal AK Bharti – Director General Air (Operations)
Kirti Chakra for Peacetime Bravery
Four Army personnel have been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for exceptional courage during counter-terrorism operations:
- Captain Lalrinawma Sailo – 4 Para (Special Forces)
- Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari – Army Service Corps
- Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A – 34 Rashtriya Rifles
- Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar – 1 Rashtriya Rifles
Shaurya Chakra and Other Awards
In addition, eight Army personnel, one from the IAF, and two from the Navy have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy.
The overall tally of awards includes:
- 4 Kirti Chakras
- 15 Vir Chakras
- 16 Shaurya Chakras
- 2 Bar to Sena Medals
- 58 Sena Medals
- 6 Nao Sena Medals
- 26 Vayu Sena Medals
- 7 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals
- 9 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals
- 24 Yudh Seva Medals
Additionally, 290 Mention-in-Despatches have been approved — 115 for the Army, 5 for the Navy, 167 for the IAF, and 3 for the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB).
These honours not only recognise individual acts of heroism but also underscore the synergy between India’s armed forces, where tactical brilliance, operational mastery, and ground-level courage come together to safeguard national security.
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