New Delhi: The Government of India has formally recognised the extraordinary bravery of six officers who played key roles in the highly strategic Operation Sindoor, conferring upon them the Vir Chakra for their exceptional courage and leadership. The operation, executed jointly by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, demonstrated India’s evolving counter-terrorism approach marked by precision, coordination, and technological prowess.
Colonel Koshank Lamba of the 302 Medium Regiment received the Vir Chakra for his outstanding leadership and flawless execution of a first-of-its-kind air mobilisation of specialised equipment on short notice. His actions ensured the seamless and covert deployment of critical assets, a move that proved vital to the mission’s success.
Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht, commanding the 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery, was honoured for his exemplary courage and operational brilliance. His unit achieved a decisive victory by completely destroying multiple terrorist camps, displaying remarkable coordination and battlefield acumen.
From the Indian Air Force, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu was recognised for leading precision strike missions with exceptional gallantry. His squadron successfully executed all objectives, neutralising enemy assets in high-risk zones.
Group Captain Animesh Patni, commanding a Surface-to-Air Missile squadron from a forward base, earned the Vir Chakra for demonstrating exceptional leadership. His unit inflicted severe damage on adversary capabilities while maintaining full operational integrity.
Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik was decorated for his audacious unescorted midnight strike on heavily fortified targets. Flying through dense enemy air defences, he executed his mission with tactical brilliance and precision within a narrow operational window.
Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh was honoured for his role in leading a three-aircraft formation that carried out a precision strike on a key target defended by an advanced air defence network. His mission demanded meticulous planning, coordination, and extraordinary flying skill.
Operation Sindoor, launched at 1.05 am on May 7, 2025, was India’s swift retaliatory response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Within 22 minutes, Indian forces destroyed nine major terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir using indigenous weapons, Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft, BrahMos missiles, and real-time satellite support from ISRO.
Over four days of intense combat, India’s air defence systems successfully neutralised Pakistan’s counterattacks, downing several fighter jets, drones, and missiles. The mission ended on May 10 after Pakistan sought a ceasefire, marking a decisive victory for India and a defining moment in the nation’s proactive counter-terrorism strategy.
