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Hindustan Times
3 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.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Defence personnel awarded gallantry medals for success of Operation Sindoor
The Union government on Thursday (August 14, 2025) announced gallantry awards for armed forces personnel, including those who played a key role in the success of Operation Sindoor. President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards for personnel of the armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day, according to the Union Ministry of Defence. The President also approved Tatrakshak Medals to five Indian Coast Guard personnel. The awards 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. Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham of the Border Security Force (BSF) were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra in recognition of their exceptional courage and selfless leadership in the face of an adverse situation, the BSF said. The government has awarded 58 Sena Medals to the Indian Army, including to two Agniveers. Six Nao Sena medals have been awarded to Indian Navy personnel, and 26 Vayu Sena medals to Indian Air Force personnel. The medals have been awarded for brave contribution in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor, and other operations conducted by the armed forces. The list of awardees includes pilots, officers, and jawans operating the S-400 air defence system. The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal has been awarded to Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations for Operation Sindoor; Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command; Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff; Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command; Air Marshal Jeetandra Mishra, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command; and Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General, Air Operations. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received 23 Gallantry Medals, the highest among Central Armed Police Forces, including three Shaurya Chakras and 20 Gallantry Medals for valour in Jammu & Kashmir, and in anti-Maoist operations. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, during which a series of missile strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation targeted nine locations, including terror camps in Muridke, a Lashkar-e-Taiba stronghold, and Bahawalpur, the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters. The President also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches for 115 personnel of the Indian Army, five personnel of the Indian Navy, 167 personnel of the Indian Air Force, and three personnel of the Border Roads Development Board. During Operation Sindoor, India's air defence systems shot down six Pakistani aircraft, while air-to-ground missiles struck airbases and other defence installations in the neighbouring country, causing significant damage, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh recently said.
United News of India
3 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
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Indian military heroes honoured on Independence Day eve
The Indian military officials who participated in Operation Sindoor and hit terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May have been honoured with scores of gallantry medals and distinguished service awards on the eve of India's 79th Independence Day. President Droupadi Murmu has also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches – 115 personnel of the Indian Army, 05 of the Indian Navy, 167 of the Indian Air Force and 03 of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB).(Representational Photo/ANI) President Droupadi Murmu has approved 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards, including for those who participated in Operation Sindoor. According to the defence ministry, the total number of awards 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. Also read: President Murmu approves wartime honours for Operation Sindoor heroes The President has also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches – 115 personnel of the Indian Army, 05 of the Indian Navy, 167 of the Indian Air Force and 03 of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB). Here is a list of awardees- Kirti Chakra Captain Lalrinawma Sailo, 4 Para (Special Forces) Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari, The Army Service Corps, 1 Sikkim Scouts Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A, The Regiment of Artillery, 34 Rashtriya Rifles Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar, The Mahar Regiment, 1 Rashtriya Rifles Vir Chakra Colonel Koshank Lamba, 302 Medium Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery Naib Subedar Satish Kumar, 4 Dogra Rifleman Sunil Kumar, 4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Flying (Pilot) Group Captain Manish Arora, Flying (Pilot) Group Captain Animesh Patni, Flying (Pilot) Group Captain Kunal Kalra, Flying (Pilot) Wing Commander Joy Chandra, Flying (Pilot) Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar, Flying (Pilot) Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh, Flying (Pilot) Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, Flying (Pilot) Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur, Flying (Pilot) Sub Inspector (GD) Mohd Imteyaj CT/GD Deepak Chingakham Shaurya Chakra Lieutenant Colonel Neetesh Bharti Shukla, 19 Sikh Major Bhargav Kalita, The Kumaon Regiment, 50 Rashtriya Rifles Major Ashish Kumar, 7 Para (Special Forces) Major Aditya Pratap Singh, SM, The Rajputana Rifles, 44 Assam Rifles Assistant Commandant Mohd Shafiq, 26 Assam Rifles Subedar Shamsher Singh, 4 Para (Special Forces) Lance Naik Rahul Singh, 4 Para (Special Forces) Rifleman Bhoj Ram Sahu, 3 Assam Rifles Lieutenant Commander Suraj Prashar Ram Goyal, Sea II Wing Commander Abhimanyu Singh (30725) Flying (Pilot) Inspector Shri Laxman Kewat Inspector Shri Rameshwar Prasad Deshmukh Constable/GD Saddam Hussain Constable/GD Feda Hussain Dar Constable/GD Sanjay Tiwari Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
Hindustan Times
3 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.
