Operation Sindoor: Gallantry Awards Announced for Armed Forces Heroes

On the eve of Independence Day 2025, the Government of India announced gallantry awards for officers of the Indian Armed Forces who played pivotal roles in Operation Sindoor—a tri-services mission targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The awards recognise exceptional bravery, operational excellence, and distinguished service during one of India’s most decisive counter-terrorism missions.

Background: Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The operation involved coordinated Army, Navy, and Air Force action,

• The Indian Army destroyed nine terrorist bases linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and PoK.
• The Indian Air Force executed precision strikes on four targets inside Pakistan and five in PoK.
• The Indian Navy provided operational support from Indian soil.

Major Awards Announced

1. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) – Highest wartime distinguished service award

Awarded to four officers, including senior IAF leadership,

1. Air Marshal Narnadeshwar Tiwari – Air Staff
2. Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra – Western Air Commander
3. Air Marshal Awadhesh Bharti – DG Air Operations
4. Vice Admiral SJ Singh – Former Western Naval Commander

Additionally, two senior Indian Army officers were selected for SYSM.

2. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM)

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti – Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

3. Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) – For distinguished service during war

Thirteen IAF officers, including,

1. Air Vice Marshal Joseph Suares
2. Air Vice Marshal Prajual Singh
3. Air Commodore Ashok Raj Thakur

4. Vayu Sena Medal (VM) – For exceptional courage in air operations

Awarded to 26 officers, such as,

1. Group Captain Ankur Hakim
2. Group Captain Varun Bhoj (Flying)
3. Wing Commander Mayank Paliwal (Flying)
4. Squadron Leader Kaustubh Nalawade (Flying)
5. Flight Lieutenant A. Naveen Chandar (Administration/Fighter Controller)

5. Veer Chakra – Gallantry award for acts of exceptional bravery

Awarded to officers including,

1. Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu
2. Group Captain Manish Arora
3. Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar
4. Flight Lieutenant Arshweer Singh Thakur

Significance

These honours not only commend individual bravery and skill but also mark Operation Sindoor as a milestone in India’s counter-terrorism operations. The mission showcased,

• Tri-services coordination
• Indigenous operational capability under Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Strategic precision strikes without crossing international borders