New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday announced a series of high-level gallantry awards for personnel across the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary units for their heroic role in Operation Sindoor, a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Top Naval Honours

  • Vice Admiral SJ Singh, former Western Naval Commander, has been awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the highest wartime distinguished service award, for his leadership in Operation Sindoor.
  • Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
  • Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General Naval Operations, was honoured with the Yudh Seva Medal.

Vir Chakra for IAF heroes

Nine Indian Air Force officers have been awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for their daring strikes on terrorist headquarters in Muridke and Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and targeting key military assets.

Awardees:

Group Captains (GP) Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, Kunal Kalra, Wing commanders (WG CDR) Joy Chandra, Squadron Leaders (Sqn Ldr) Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, Rizwan Malik, Flight Lieutenant (FLT LT) Aarshveer Singh Thakur have been awarded Vir Chakra.

The IAF’s role in the operation also included downing at least six Pakistani aircraft.

Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)

A total of 26 IAF officers and airmen were conferred the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their role in executing airstrikes and intercepting Pakistani attacks using systems like the S-400 and other advanced air defence platforms.

Yudh Seva Medal for IAF leadership

Thirteen IAF officers were recognised with the Yudh Seva Medal for their operational leadership, including:

  • Air Vice Marshal Joseph Suares
  • AVM Prajual Singh
  • Air Commodore Ashok Raj Thakur

BSF Gallantry: Two Posthumous Vir Chakras Among 18 Medals

The Border Security Force (BSF) was recognised for its frontline bravery with 18 gallantry medals, including two posthumous Vir Chakras.

The Vir Chakra, a wartime medal which is third in precedence after the Param Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakra, has been bestowed on Sub Inspector Mohammed Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham.

The medals for gallantry for the troops, some of whom destroyed enemy surveillance cameras while others neutralised drone attacks, were announced by the Union government on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Other notable BSF honourees include:

Sub Inspector Vyas Dev, who continued to lead after losing a leg

Constable Suddi Rabha, who aided in high-risk resupply missions

ASI Udai Vir Singh, who destroyed a Pakistani machine gun post despite injury

ASI Rajappa BT and Constable Manohar Xalxo, who completed an ammunition supply mission despite grievous injuries

Assistant Commandant Alok Negi, who held enemy positions under relentless fire for 48 hours

Additional Gallantry Awards across forces

128 awards for Jammu and Kashmir Police

20 awards for CRPF personnel

14 awards for Chhattisgarh Police