The Indian government has officially acknowledged the extraordinary bravery and leadership demonstrated by members of the armed forces during Operation Sindoor, a historic expedition that revolutionized India’s counterterrorism strategy. The government has listed the gallantry citations of the officers whose bravery made the operation a resounding success in an official gazette notice.
The Vir Chakra has been given to Colonel Koshank Lamba of the 302 Medium Regiment in recognition of his impeccable leadership and poise under duress. In order to facilitate the quick and secret deployment of vital resources, he carried out the first-ever air mobilization of a specialized equipment battery on short notice. In addition to guaranteeing operational superiority, his leadership personified the Indian Army’s noblest ideals.
The 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and tactical skill. His unit’s skillful leadership enabled them to use accurate artillery strikes to destroy several terrorist camps. According to the official citation, he achieved a resounding operational success by displaying remarkable bravery and unshakable perseverance in the face of hostile fire.
Under extreme adversary conditions, Indian Air Force combat pilot Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu commanded a crucial strike operation that accomplished all assigned goals. He delivered a devastating blow to high-value targets by expertly executing deep penetration attacks while piloting a squadron of cutting-edge fighter aircraft. His actions demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dedication to the cause.
Group Captain Animesh Patni demonstrated strategic vision and steadfast leadership while leading a forward-deployed Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) unit. His unit, under his command, destroyed many hostile air attacks and seriously damaged the adversary’s capabilities. His command choices guaranteed no casualties in his formation while protecting Indian assets.
Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik flew alone through heavily fortified enemy airspace, shielded by sophisticated radar and missile systems, while serving as Deputy Mission Leader for a precision strike throughout the night. He avoided radar lock-on and successfully completed the job by delivering precise munitions within a limited striking window using low-altitude entrance and split-second timing. Unmatched expertise and unadulterated bravery were required for the achievement.
Deep in enemy territory, Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh commanded a three-aircraft standoff attack formation against a defended target. He displayed excellent planning, coordination, and airmanship by successfully coordinating attack vectors and strike parameters while operating under strong sensor coverage and the threat of both long- and medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
Operation Sindoor, India’s well-planned military retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, was launched in the wee hours of May 7, 2025. The well-planned operation, which placed a strong focus on accuracy, surprise, and little collateral damage, signaled a shift in India’s proactive counterterrorism approach.
Nine terrorist hotspots located throughout Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including key command centers at Muridke and Bahawalpur, were destroyed by Indian forces in only twenty-two minutes. Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft equipped with BrahMos and other precise bombs, as well as locally manufactured weapons, were used in the strike package. Real-time surveillance was conducted by ISRO satellites and local drones.
India’s technological maturity, operational coordination, and unwavering will to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism at its source were all proved by the mission’s success. These six recipients of the Vir Chakra award are timeless representations of bravery, self-control, and the spirit of national defense.
