New Delhi – President Droupadi Murmu has approved the prestigious Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards comprising 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day. This historic recognition honors the extraordinary courage and dedication displayed by Indian military personnel during Operation Sindoor, India’s decisive response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
The Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards represent one of the most comprehensive wartime honor distributions in recent Indian military history, acknowledging the heroism of soldiers who participated in the pivotal military operation that targeted terror and military installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three months ago.
Comprehensive Award Categories and Recipients
The Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards encompass a wide spectrum of military honors, including four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Additionally, the awards include seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva medals, and 24 Yudh Seva medals, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the recognition.
Among the distinguished Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards recipients are Vir Chakra awardees including Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, and Rifleman Sunil Kumar from the Army. The Air Force recipients 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, and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh.
Posthumous Honors and Border Security Recognition
The Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards also include posthumous recognition for BSF Sub Inspector Mohd Imteyaz and Constable Deepak Chingakham, acknowledging their supreme sacrifice during the operation. These posthumous awards highlight the ultimate price paid by some personnel while defending national security and responding to terrorist threats against Indian territory.
The Border Security Force has been specifically recognized within the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards with 16 BSF personnel receiving gallantry medals for their crucial role in the operation. This recognition underscores the multi-service coordination that characterized Operation Sindoor’s success and the comprehensive nature of India’s military response.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic Military Response
Operation Sindoor was launched in the early hours of May 7 as India’s direct military response to the Pahalgam terror strike, continuing until the ceasefire on May 10 evening. The Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards recognize personnel who participated in strikes against terror and military installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, demonstrating unprecedented military precision and strategic coordination.
During the operation that earned these Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards, Indian forces successfully bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, eliminating at least 100 terrorists. The Indian Air Force simultaneously struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations, showcasing the comprehensive nature of India’s military capabilities and strategic planning.
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Terror Camp Strikes and Military Targets
The nine terror camps targeted during operations that led to the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards included Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, Markaz Taiba near Muridke, Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. These strategic strikes utilized a combination of missiles and smart munitions, demonstrating advanced military technology and precision targeting capabilities.
The Air Force targets that contributed to the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards included military installations in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari, and Malir Cantt in Karachi. These coordinated strikes across multiple locations demonstrated India’s capability for simultaneous, multi-target military operations.
Pakistani Counterstrikes and Indian Defense
During the operation period recognized by the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards, Pakistan launched counterstrikes on the night of May 7-8, using drones and missiles targeting multiple Indian towns and cities including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Phalodi, Suratgarh, Uttarlai, Nal, and Bhuj. India’s air defense shield successfully neutralized these attacks, demonstrating the defensive capabilities alongside offensive operations.
Defence Minister’s Strategic Assessment
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh characterized the operations leading to the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards as a balanced military response signaling India’s evolution beyond traditional boundaries. Singh emphasized that the operation utilized modern technology, accurate intelligence, and smart military strategies to target terrorism effectively, representing a clear message of India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorist activities.
Singh described Operation Sindoor as part of India’s new policy framework, stating that regardless of terrorism’s deep roots, complete destruction would be ensured. The Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards thus recognize personnel who implemented this strategic vision through decisive military action.
Independence Day Celebrations and Recognition
The success celebrated through the Operation Sindoor Heroes Gallantry Awards will be prominently featured during the Independence Day function at Red Fort. A Mi-17 helicopter will fly a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, invitation cards carry the operation’s distinctive logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will showcase the logo, and floral decorations will be themed around the operation, ensuring comprehensive national recognition of the heroes’ achievements and sacrifices.
