New Delhi August 14, 2025 In the run-up to Independence Day, the government of India has awarded the prestigious Vir Chakra—India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal to nine officials of the Indian Air Force for outstanding gallantry during Operation Sindoor.
Rewarding the Bravest of the Brave
The awards went to decorated officers, including fighter pilots who targeted terrorist and military facilities deep within enemy lines, as follows:
- Group Captains: Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, Kunal Kalra
- Wing Commander: Joy Chandra
- Squadron Leaders: Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, Rizwan Malik
- Flight Lieutenant: Aarshveer Singh Thakur
These pilots carried out high-impact air raids on Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed hideouts in Muridke and Bahawalpur, as well as strategically critical Pakistani military targets inflicting knockout punches way beyond the Line of Control. Particularly, the IAF was able to shoot down at least six PAF planes during the operation.
Wider Gallantry Awards
A total of 13 Vir Chakras were awarded for Operation Sindoor nine to officers of the IAF and four to military personnel. Some of the army recipients were Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lt Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, and Rifleman Sunil Kumar. Other awards were the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal given to seven high-ranking military commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force for their exceptional operational command. In addition, the IAF honored other war heroes with one Shaurya Chakra, 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), and several Yudh Seva Medals emphasizing gallantry across both skies and
Operational Brilliance and Strategic Impact
Conducted in retaliation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor (May 7–10) provided accurate aerial bombings on terror camps and infrastructure, appreciably weakening the enemy’s war-fighting capabilities. The mission was also significant for India achieving the biggest-ever surface-to-air kill downing Pakistani planes, including an AEW&C platform, with the S-400 air defence system from distances of tens of kilometers. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh attributed the success of the mission to better training, crisp leadership, and coordinated multi-service coordination.
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, Air Chief Marshal Singh himself visited the family of Sergeant Surendra Moga, a gallant IAF martyr of Operation Sindoor. The visit highlighted the human toll behind military victories and reasserted the IAF’s commitment to soldier welfare.