New Delhi: In a historic recognition of their role in Operation Sindoor, seven senior armed forces officers, including four from the Indian Air Force, were awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day. The rare honour acknowledges their exceptional leadership and strategic planning during the intense India-Pakistan confrontation in May 2025.
Vir Chakra Awards for IAF Heroes
President Droupadi Murmu also conferred Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, on nine Indian Air Force pilots for their role in precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure and Pakistani military establishments.
The awardees include:
- Group Captains: Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, Kunal Kalra
- Wing Commander: Joy Chandra
- Squadron Leaders: Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, Rizwan Malik
- Flight Lieutenant: Aarshveer Singh Thakur
These pilots played a key role in strikes against LeT and JeM headquarters deep inside Pakistan. Their efforts, supported by India’s air defence systems including S-400 and Akash missiles, helped thwart subsequent enemy attacks.
Six additional Vir Chakras were approved for brave personnel from the Indian Army (4) and Central Armed Police Forces (2), highlighting the joint valor across services.
SYSM Honours for Strategic Leadership
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the wartime equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, is an exceptionally rare award. This year, recipients were recognised for planning and supervising Operation Sindoor, which involved high-risk cross-border operations.
IAF SYSM Recipients:
- Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of IAF
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, AOC-in-C, Western Air Command
- Air Marshal Awadhesh Bharti, Director General Air Operations
- Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command
Army and Navy SYSM Recipients:
- Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C, Northern Command
- Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General Military Operations
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, former FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command
The SYSM has been awarded only three times previously, to leaders from the Sri Lanka peacekeeping mission and the Kargil War, underscoring its prestige.
Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra Awards
In addition, four Kirti Chakra (second-highest peacetime gallantry awards) and 16 Shaurya Chakra awards were conferred. All Kirti Chakra winners were from the Army.
Across the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards were announced, including:
- Two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry)
- 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry)
- Six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry)
- 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry)
- Nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals
Operation Sindoor to Feature in Independence Day Celebrations
Operation Sindoor will form the theme of India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. A Mi-17 helicopter will carry the operation flag, while invitation cards, floral décor, and viewing arrangements will feature the operation’s emblem. The homage highlights India’s military preparedness and the bravery of its armed forces in safeguarding national security.
