TL;DR:
- Six Indian Army and Air Force officers were awarded the Vir Chakra for exceptional bravery during Operation Sindoor.
- The awards were confirmed on October 21, 2025, following the operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist camps in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Key Points:
- Vir Chakra Awardees: Six Indian officers received the Vir Chakra for bravery in Operation Sindoor. The recipients include:
- Colonel Koshank Lamba (Indian Army): Led the first-ever short-notice air mobilization of artillery and coordinated precision strikes.
- Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht (Indian Army): Led counter-terrorism operations, destroying enemy camps with precision.
- Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu (IAF): Led precision airstrikes on fortified targets under heavy enemy defenses.
- Group Captain Animesh Patni (IAF): Commanded air defense operations, protecting assets during the mission.
- Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik (IAF): Executed midnight strikes against enemy targets through heavily defended airspace.
- Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh (IAF): Coordinated three-aircraft strike formations against enemy infrastructure.
Background of Operation Sindoor:
Launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor aimed to neutralize terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan.
Award Approval:
The Vir Chakra awards were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on August 14, 2025, and were officially announced in the gazette on October 21, 2025.
Additional Honors:
In total, 127 gallantry awards were issued, including 15 Vir Chakras and 4 Kirti Chakras, recognizing acts of valor in various operations.
Significance of the Operation:
Operation Sindoor marked a successful military response with precise, high-risk strikes and minimal casualties, highlighting India’s military capabilities and coordination.