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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Anti-terror heroes get top gallantry honours
NEW DELHI India on Thursday acknowledged the heroism of its soldiers who took part in Operation Sindoor and played a pivotal role in hitting terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three months ago, with President Droupadi Murmu approving scores of wartime honours for them. Anti-terror heroes get top gallantry honours Among the 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards cleared by the President on the eve of the 79th Independence Day are four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals, the defence ministry said. Vir Chakra is India's third-highest wartime honour, and has been awarded to soldiers who demonstrated uncommon valour during Operation Sindoor --- India's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. The Vir Chakra awardees are Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, 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, BSF Sub Inspector Mohd Imteyaz (Posthumous) and Constable Deeapk Chingakham (Posthumous). All the Indian Air Force (IAF) Vir Chakra awardees are pilots. The defence ministry did not release the citations of the military awardees. The Kirti Chakras and Shaurya Chakras --- India's second and third-highest peacetime gallantry awards are not linked to Operation Sindoor. The bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and Sena Medals (Gallantry) have been awarded for both Operation Sindoor and counter-terrorism operations, people aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. Two Agniveers have been awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) for the first time. The Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and Yudh Seva Medals have been awarded to soldiers for their role in Operation Sindoor, the people said. The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal awardees include Northern Army commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, director general military operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, IAF vice chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, South Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, director general air operations Air Marshal AK Bharti and then Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh (retd). The Kirti Chakra has been awarded to Captain Lalrinawwa Sailo, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari, Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A and Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar. The President also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches. India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were killed. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The nine terror camps hit by the Indian forces with a mix of missiles and smart munitions 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. The targets in Bahawalpur and Muridke were hit by the IAF; the rest by the army. The air force also struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. In one of the counterstrikes on the night of May 7-8, Islamabad launched aerial attacks using drones and missiles at multiple towns and cities, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Phalodi, Suratgarh, Uttarlai, Nal and Bhuj. India's air defence shield fended off the attacks. In an address to soldiers, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor was a balanced military response that signalled India is no longer bound by traditional boundaries, but is using modern technology, accurate intelligence and smart military strategies to target terror. 'It was a clear message from India that we are tolerant, but when it comes to the safety of our people and the dignity of our country, we unite and face every challenge boldly. Operation Sindoor is a part of India's new policy, a clear message that no matter how deep the roots of terrorism are, its complete destruction will be ensured,' he said. The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated at the Independence Day function at Red Fort on Friday. A Mi-17 helicopter will fly a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will also showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation. At least five Pakistani combat jets and a large surveillance aircraft were shot down by Indian air defence weapons, primarily the S-400 system, during the four days of hostilities between the two countries in May, chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said last week, the first official acknowledgment of such successes by the Indian side. Air Chief Marshal Singh, who was delivering a public lecture in Bengaluru, said attacks by the Indian military also destroyed or damaged at least two Pakistani command and control centres, at least six big and small radars, two surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGW) systems, and the runways and hangars at the airbases in Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bholari and Jacobabad. Sons of former IAF chiefs among heroes Among the Operation Sindoor heroes decorated with medals are the sons of two former IAF chiefs. The 26 IAF personnel awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) include Group Captain Omar Browne and Squadron Leader Mihir Vivek Chaudhari. Both of them are fighter pilots, like their fathers. While Omar is the son of Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne (retd), Mihir's father Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari was the IAF chief until last year. Sena medals for Agniveers Two Agniveers have been awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry) for the first time. It is unclear if they have been hailed for Operation Sindoor or counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. To be sure, more than 3,000 Agniveers --- barely 20 years old and recruited during the last two years --- manned critical weapons and systems integral to the army's hardy air defence (AD) shield activated during Operation Sindoor, which Pakistan couldn't punch through despite launching wave after wave of missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian military installations, airbases and cities during the May 7-10 clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Op Sindoor warriors dominate honours; Pilots, S-400 operators among awardees
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards on the eve of the 79th Independence Day , with most of the honours going to the personnel who took part in Operation Sindoor . The President approved four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras and 16 Shaurya Chakras on the occasion. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker Among the awardees are pilots who carried out deep strikes against terror targets and Pakistani military establishment, air defence operators who used systems like the S-400 to thwart Pakistani attacks and senior commanders who directed the operations during the May 7-10 operation. A total of 1,090 personnel of police, fire services, Civil Defence & Home Guards and Correctional Services have also been awarded gallantry and service medals. Out of these, 233 personnel have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry while 99 have been awarded the President's Medal for Distinguished Service. In the honours lists are nine Air Force pilots from Operation Sindoor who have been given the Vir Chakra , India's third highest wartime gallantry award. Besides, 26 have been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry while one has been given the Shaurya Chakra. These include a group captain and a squadron leader, who are sons of former Air Force chiefs. In all, seven senior commanders, including the Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma have been conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal - all for their contributions to Operation Sindoor. Others who have been given the honour are the director general military operations, the Central and Southern Air Force commanders, the director general air operations, the vice chief of air staff and the Western Navy commander. The Air Force has also accorded mention in despatches to 167 personnel, out of which 162 are for Operation Sindoor. These include at least five women officers who took part in the operation. For now, the air force has not shared citations that detail actions taken by personnel who have been accorded the gallantry medals. However, the Border Security Force shared citations of two personnel who have been given the Vir Chakra posthumously. These include sub inspector (late) Mohd Imteyaj, who was the post commander of border outpost Kharkola, on the international border in Jammu area. According to the citation, his post came under intense firing on May 9 and he directed a strong response. It added that Pakistani drones then targeted his post and he got grievously wounded but continued to direct troops under his command. Constable Deepak Chingakham, who was in the same post, refused to be evacuated and stayed with his post commander and continued to put up a fight. He, too, has been posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
President approves Gallantry awards to 127 bravehearts
New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 Gallantry awards and 40 Distinguished Service awards to the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day today. These include four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras; two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals; nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals. The list includes the nine brave pilots of the Indian Air Force who had targeted the military bases of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The government has also honoured seven senior officers of the three services, including Air Force Director General Operations Air Marshal Awdhesh Bharti and Air Force Vice fleshtriya Ri RasChief Narmdeshwar Tiwari, with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. Moreover, the President also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches. These include 115 personnel of the Indian Army, five of the Indian Navy, 167 of the Indian Air Force and three of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB). Captain Lalrinawma Sailo, 4 Para (Special Forces); Lt. Shashank Tiwari of the Army Service corps, 1 Sikkim Scouts; Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A of the Regiment of Artillery, 34 and Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar, the Mahar Regiment, 1 Rashtriya Rifles have been awarded Kirti Chakra. Among those awarded with Vir Chakra include Col Koshank Lamba of 302 Medium Regiment; Lt Col Sushil Bisht, 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery; Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Flying (Pilot); Sub Inspector (GD) Mohd Imteyaj, MHA and CT/GD Deepak Chingakham, MHA. Those awarded with Shaurya Chakra include Lt Col Neetesh Bharti Shukla, 19 Sikh; Maj Bhargav Kalita, the Kumaon Regiment, 50 Rashtriya Rifles; Maj Ashish Kumar, 7 para (Special Force); Lt Commander Suraj Prashar on Indian Navy; N Ram Goyal, Sea II and Inspector Laxman Kewat, MHA. UNI RBE SSP
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
President Murmu approves wartime honours for Operation Sindoor heroes
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday acknowledged the heroism of its soldiers who took part in Operation Sindoor and played a pivotal role in hitting terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three months ago, with President Droupadi Murmu approving scores of wartime honours for them. Top military commanders monitor 'Operation Sindoor' live in this image from the May edition of Indian Army's monthly magazine 'Baatcheet'. (Indian Army/ PTI) Among the 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards cleared by the President on the eve of the 79th Independence Day are awards are four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva medals and 24 Yudh Seva medals, the defence ministry said. Vir Chakra is India's third-highest wartime honour, and has been awarded to soldiers who demonstrated uncommon valour during Operation Sindoor --- India's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. The Vir Chakra awardees include Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, 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, BSF Sub Inspector Mohd Imteyaz (Posthumous) and Constable Deeapk Chingakham (Posthumous). India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were killed. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The nine terror camps hit by the Indian forces with a mix of missiles and smart munitions 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. The targets in Bahawalpur and Muridke were hit by the IAF; the rest by the army. The air force also struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. In one of the counterstrikes on the night of May 7-8, Islamabad launched aerial attacks using drones and missiles at multiple towns and cities, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Phalodi, Suratgarh, Uttarlai, Nal and Bhuj. India's air defence shield fended off the attacks. In an address to soldiers, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor was a balanced military response that signalled India is no longer bound by traditional boundaries, but is using modern technology, accurate intelligence and smart military strategies to target terror. 'It was a clear message from India that we are tolerant, but when it comes to the safety of our people and the dignity of our country, we unite and face every challenge boldly. Operation Sindoor is a part of India's new policy, a clear message that no matter how deep the roots of terrorism are, its complete destruction will be ensured,' he said. The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated at the Independence Day function at the Red Fort on Friday. A Mi-17 helicopter will fly a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lalduhoma congratulates CRPF inspector for Shaurya Chakra
Aizawl: CM Lalduhoma has extended his congratulations to CRPF inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo (45) for receiving the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, an achievement that has brought honour to the Mizo community. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On 'X', Lalduhoma stated, "Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo of the CRPF has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award. He has brought honor to the Zo people, set a noble example for others, and inspired us to love our country with selfless devotion. Congratulations to Inspector Hmingchullo on this well-deserved recognition of his bravery and service." Hmingchullo, who hails from Rengkai, Churachandpur in Manipur and serves in the CRPF, received the Shaurya Chakra, the nation's third-highest peacetime gallantry award, recognising his exceptional bravery and dedication to national service. The award ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday saw President Droupadi Murmu presenting the Shaurya Chakra to 33 personnel, including seven posthumous awards. Additionally, she bestowed six Kirti Chakras, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, with four posthumous honours, to members of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Hmingchullo's distinguished service in one of India's most vital security forces demonstrates exceptional courage and professional commitment.
