New Delhi: In a proud moment for the nation ahead of Independence Day, the Government of India has awarded the prestigious Vir Chakra to nine Indian Air Force (IAF) officers for their exceptional bravery during Operation Sindoor.
The decorated officers include:
Group Captains Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, and Kunal Kalra
Wing Commander Joy Chandra
Squadron Leaders Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, and Rizwan Malik
Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur
These officers played a pivotal role in executing targeted strikes on terrorist headquarters in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur, as well as on key military assets of Pakistan.
The Indian Air Force, in a remarkable show of strength, is reported to have brought down at least six Pakistani aircraft during the operation.
The Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award (after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra), recognizes acts of extraordinary courage on the battlefield.
The honours follow a statement by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who recently highlighted the operation’s success during the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture. He confirmed that Indian forces achieved five confirmed fighter jet kills and took down one large Pakistani aircraft—possibly an ELINT or AEW&C platform—at a range of 300 kilometres, calling it the “largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill.”
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a swift and powerful response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. The Indian Armed Forces retaliated by striking terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists and neutralizing critical enemy infrastructure.
The IAF also effectively repelled Pakistan’s counterattacks, targeting and damaging multiple Pakistani airbases, further underscoring the critical role of air power in modern warfare.
This recognition of IAF personnel reaffirms India’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and delivering justice against terrorism.
