Recognising their courage and valour during Operation Sindoor, the Centre has honoured Indian Army, Air Force, BSF personnel with Gallantry awards and Distinguished Service awards. Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu also approved Tatrakshak Medals to 5 Indian Coast Guard personnel.
Celebrating their bravery during India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor against terrorist locations in Pakistan, the Centre has awarded India’s 3rd highest wartime gallantry medal to 9 IAF fighter pilots, 4 soldiers and 2 BSF personnel. During Op Sindoor, India conducted deep cross-border precision strikes against terror hubs in Pakistan.
Of the 127 Gallantry Awards, India’s 2nd highest peacetime medal Kirti Chakra was awarded to 15 personnel. Additionally, the defence personnel were also honoured with 16 Shaurya Chakras, 58 Sena Medals, 6 Nao Sena Medals, 7 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals (SYSMs), 9 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 24 Yudh Seva Medals, 2 Bar to Sena Medals, and 290 Mention-in-Despatches.
IAF Officers Awarded Vir Chakras
In a special recognition, the government awarded Vir Chakras to 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, and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur.
https://x.com/adgpi/status/1956007261442019332
Apart from IAF officers, the Army awardees included Colonel Koshank Lamba, Lt Colonel Sushil Bisht, Naib Subedar Satish Kumar and Rifleman Sunil Kumar.
From the Border Security Force (BSF), the names include sub-inspector Mohd Imteyaj and constable Deepak Chingakham, who were killed defending the Kharkola outpost in Jammu against intense shelling and drone attacks.
Special honour for 7 top officers
In addition to the wider Gallantry Awards distribution, 7 top officials of the armed forces including 4 from the Indian Air Force were also honoured for Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM), which is a rare and distinguished honour.
BSF personnel award for Operation Sindoor valour
President Murmu also awarded the gallantry medals to 16 BSF personnel for their “conspicuous bravery” and “unmatched valour” during Operation Sindoor. “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 BSF said.
Meanwhile, the total of 1090 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD) and Correctional Services have also been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day 2025. 233 personnel have been awarded Medal for Gallantry (GM), 99 personnel awarded President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 758 personnel awarded Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).