Latest news with #SarvottamYudhSevaMedal
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Independence Day gallantry medals: From top IAF officers and fighter pilots to S-400 operators in Op Sindoor, check full list
Synopsis Sixteen BSF personnel have been awarded gallantry medals for their exceptional bravery and valour during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The operation, a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, involved targeting terrorist and military facilities. The awarded personnel displayed courage in neutralizing drone attacks, destroying enemy surveillance, and replenishing ammunition under fire, with some making the ultimate sacrifice. TNN For their role in India's response to deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26, former Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral S.J. Singh has been conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his role in Operation Sindoor, while Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti has received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal. Director General Naval Operations Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod has been honoured with the Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day. Thirteen Indian Air Force officers have been awarded the prestigious Yudh Seva Medal for their significant role in executing offensive operations and defending India's airspace. The awardees include Air Vice Marshal Joseph Suares, Air Vice Marshal Prajual Singh, and Air Commodore Ashok Raj 26 officers and airmen of the Indian Air Force awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), including fighter pilots who took part in missions to hit targets inside Pakistan and officers and men operating the S-400 and other air defence systems which foiled all attacks planned by Pakistan on Indian soil. Sixteen Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been awarded gallantry medals for displaying "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The medals for gallantry (GM) for these troops, some of whom destroyed enemy surveillance cameras while others neutralised drone attacks, were announced by the Union government on the eve of the 79th Independence paramilitary force is tasked with guarding the 2,290-km-long India-Pakistan International Border (IB), apart from the Line of Control (LoC), under the Army's operational control along the western flank of the country."This Independence Day, 16 Brave Seema Praharis (border guards) are being awarded Gallantry Medals for their conspicuous bravery & unmatched valour, for being resolute & steadfast during the Ops Sindoor."The medals are a testament to the Nation's faith & trust reposed in India's First Line of Defence: The Border Security Force," the BSF said in a social media post.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Spotlight On Op Sindoor, Air Force As Distinguished Service Awards Announced
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal -- the country's highest wartime distinguished service decoration - will be awarded to seven officers of the armed forces, bringing the spotlight on Operation Sindoor and their contribution in it. Of them, four officers are from the Indian Air Force, which played a key role in decimating the terrorist groups' headquarters in Muridke and Bahawalpur and Pakistan military assets during Operation Sindoor. This is the first time the number of IAF officers being decorated are more than the Army and the Navy. The officers who would receive the award are: Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, DG Military Ops Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd) - FOC-in-C Western Naval Command Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor - AOC-in-C Southern Air Command Air Marshal Jeetandra Mishra - AOC-in-C Western Air Command Air Marshal AK Bharti - DGAO The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal was last distributed to the IAF after the Kargil war. The award is a war-time equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal that is given for distinguished service of the most exceptional order. Operation Sindoor - the strongest action till date against Pakistan and PoK-based terror bases and retaliatory action against Pakistani armed offensive following the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam - is expected to be the centerpiece of this year's Independence Day celebrations. Already floral decorations celebrating it have made an appearance in parts of Delhi and its logo on Gyanpath, the avenue at the heart of the city. It has been seen on the Independence Day invitations and is expected to adorn the dais. Helicopters will hold a special fly-past to mark the massive success of the operation. The four-day operation of the armed forces is also expected to feature in the customary address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The decorated officers will share the dais with PM Modi. Sixteen Border Security Force personnel have been awarded gallantry medals for displaying "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" during Operation Sindoor. India had struck nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir eliminating over a hundred terrorists, during Op Sindoor from May 7 to May 10. Six Pakistani aircraft - including five fighter jets and another large aircraft - were downed. Aerial strikes were also conducted against 11 Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan (Chaklala), Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Op Sindoor heroes to receive gallantry awards on Independence Day: Sources
Officers from all three services who played key roles in the success of Operation Sindoor will be honoured with the prestigious gallantry medals this Independence Day, sources will also include the first-ever conferment of the 'Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal' to Air Force officers. The event will also see high military decorations for officers from the Army and Navy, who were instrumental in the operation's announcement is likely to be made today. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 25 tourists dead. As part of the daring operation, India targeted nine terror facilities deep inside Pakistan, killing over 100 retaliated by launching a wave of drone strikes, which were effectively countered by Indian air defence response, India pounded 11 key military and radar sites in Pakistan on May 10, eventually forcing Islamabad to dial New Delhi for a ceasefire week, Air Force chief Air Marshal AP Singh revealed that India had downed six jets of Pakistan and also damaged some F-16 aircraft during its strikes on May 10.- EndsTune InMust Watch
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
7 Top Military Officers To Be Awarded For Op Sindoor On August 15: Sources To NDTV
Seven top military officers will be honoured with gallantry medals for their valour during Operation Sindoor on Independence Day, sources on Thursday said, adding that four Indian Air Force (IAF) officers will be awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal - the country's highest wartime distinguished service decoration. The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal was last distributed to the IAF after the Kargil war. The award is a war-time equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal that is given for distinguished service of the most exceptional order. Sources confirmed to NDTV that besides the four IAF officers, two army officers and one navy officer will be honoured during the August 15 celebrations. Under Operation Sindoor, India targeted terrorist and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from May 7 to 10 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen. Earlier in the day, the Border Security Force (BSF) announced gallantry medals for 16 personnel for their "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" during Operation Sindoor. The paramilitary force is tasked with guarding the India-Pakistan border along the western flank of the country. "This Independence Day, 16 Brave Seema Praharis (border guards) are being awarded Gallantry Medals for their conspicuous bravery & unmatched valour, for being resolute & steadfast during the Ops Sindoor. The medals are a testament to the Nation's faith & trust reposed in India's First Line of Defence: The Border Security Force," the BSF said in a social media post. Among the medal winners are a deputy commandant rank officer, two assistant commandants, and an inspector.
The Print
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Farewell Gen Kalkat, decorated Army officer who marched through Chhamb, led IPKF in Sri Lanka
Commissioned into the 8 Gorkha Rifles, Gen Kalkat's illustrious career encompassed significant events in the annals of Indian military history. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, he commanded the 5/8 Gorkha Rifles, earning considerable admiration for his strategic insight and leadership capabilities in the fierce Battle of Chumb. Gen Kalkat (Retd) died earlier in the day. His last rites were attended by his immediate family members, senior officers and comrade-in-arms, a significant number of whom went through the trials and triumphs of service alongside him. New Delhi: Lieutenant General Amarjit Singh Kalkat (Retd), a highly decorated officer of the Indian Army, was cremated on Tuesday with full military honours at the Brar Square in Delhi Cantonment. Gen Kalkat is best remembered for being the Overall Commander of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka from February 1988 to March 1990 during Operation Pawan. In an acknowledgement of his exemplary leadership during this pivotal operation, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM), India's foremost distinction for service in wartime. He was the first-ever recipient of the award, with only two others having been recognised since, both during the Kargil Conflict. 'He led the IPKF through its most complex period, the de-induction from Sri Lanka,' Lt Gen Hardev Singh Lidder (Retd), former Commanding Officer of the 9 Para Special Forces told ThePrint. 'During Operation Pawan, I held the position of battalion commander under his leadership and he affectionately regarded us as the finest battalion. He exemplified the essence of a true politico-military strategist,' he added. Col Vipul Talwar (Retd), who was in the same unit as Gen Kalkat and knew him from the early days of his career, fondly recollected his humility and mentorship. 'When I completed Staff College, I was posted with the battalion in Dehradun while Gen Kalkat was commanding a neighbouring formation,' recalled Col Vipul Talwar. 'I was preparing a presentation on the Battle of Chhamb – a battle he had led as the commanding officer, during which the battalion earned a Vir Chakra. Gen Kalkat came all the way to meet me and personally discuss it. That's the kind of leader he was—great, humble and genuinely invested in the growth of his juniors.' In July 1991, Kalkat assumed the role of the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the newly established Army Training Command (ARTRAC), where he played an instrumental part in shaping future military doctrine. Following this, he served as the Commander of the Southern Command. Upon his retirement, Gen Kalkat remained actively involved in defence policy and public discourse, exemplifying the essence of a soldier's general until the end of his days. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: 'If you want to go to war, then select Amarjeet Singh Kalkat as Chief of Army Staff'
