Government Honours Armed Forces With 127 Gallantry Awards, Including For Operation Sindoor; Releases Citations

The Central Government released a gazette notification recognizing exceptional bravery and service by defence personnel, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel.

The honours include 4 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 6 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Additionally, 290 Mention-in-Despatches were approved—115 from the Indian Army, 5 from the Navy, 167 from the Air Force, and 3 from the Border Roads Development Board.

Operation Sindoor Heroes

1. Colonel Koshank Lamba, awarded the Vir Chakra for executing the first-ever rapid air mobilisation of specialised equipment at short notice, ensuring timely inter-command induction with complete secrecy.

2. Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht was honoured for displaying exceptional courage and operational brilliance, leading his unit to completely destroy terrorist camps during counter-terrorism operations.

3. Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu's squadron conducted successful strikes over predetermined targets using formidable fighter aircraft, achieving all designated objectives.

4. Group Captain Animesh Patni commanded a strategic Surface-to-Air Missile squadron at a forward base, guiding his team with precision to inflict significant losses on adversaries without suffering any damage.

5. Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik flew as deputy mission leader in an unescorted midnight strike package through adversary airspace defended by potent air defence systems and aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art beyond visual range missiles. His tactical low-level formation routing and aggressive manoeuvring successfully neutralized heavily fortified targets despite miniscule launch windows and restricted penetration opportunities.

6. Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh led a three-aircraft formation for stand-off precision strikes requiring exceptional flying skills and precise weapon control until impact. Operating amid heavily networked air defences including long and medium-range Surface-to-Air Guided Weapons and Air Defence aircraft, his accurate planning and highest level of airmanship ensured mission success against particular structures.

Here are the citations for the Armed Forces personnel:

COLONEL KOSHANK LAMBA, 302 Medium Regiment

Colonel Koshank Lamba displayed flawless leadership and at a short notice executed first ever air mobilization of a specialised equipment battery, thereby ensuring timely inter command induction for ‘Operation’ with utter secrecy.

The officer because of his vast experience was moved at short notice and was instrumental in carrying out acquisition and analysis of one of the most difficult target.

His technical prowess on equipment, tactical knowledge and time bound relentless mission oriented training transformed his subunit to mission capable within five days.

Once the unit was tasked to orchestrate coordinated precision engagement of most vital terrorist infrastructure in Northern Command, the officer demonstrated extreme courage and directed synchronized fire mission with absolute surprise despite under enemy observation and fire.

Once the enemy retaliated with heavy bombardment, with utter disregard to personal safety, the commanding officer kept moving from gun to gun thereby motivating his troops ensuring mission accomplishment. His resolute leadership and bravery in the face of enemy fire resulted in destruction of multiple terrorist Camps and neutralization of a large number of terrorists.

For displaying exceptional bravery, valour and courage under fire reflecting the traditional martial ethos of Indian Army, Colonel Koshank Lamba is awarded “VIR CHAKRA”.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL SUSHIL BISHT, 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery

During an Operation Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht as Officer Commanding, displayed exceptional courage, leadership and operational brilliance.

He led his unit to resounding success by causing complete destruction of terrorist camps.

Displaying exceptional operational acumen, he undertook intense planning to determine precise target coordinates using latest satellite imagery and meticulously briefed commanders-in-chain on execution methodology. Officer also led his unit through rigorous rehearsals, focusing on achieving tactical surprise and swift extrication.

Upon receiving orders to strike terrorist camps, he swiftly deployed his unit under cover of darkness.

Showing unparalleled courage and utter disregard for personnel safety, he led the assault by targeting precisely, causing complete target destruction.

Despite enemy counter-bombardment threat, he ensured safe and timely extrication of all troops under his command. Again, he was tasked for destruction of a key target.

Without delay, officer brought his unit to readiness and displaying undaunted courage under intense attack and constant enemy shelling, led his men to success.

For displaying conspicuous bravery, resolute leadership and unmatched courage in the face of enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht is awarded “VIR CHAKRA.”

GROUP CAPTAIN RANJEET SINGH SIDHU, Flying (Pilot)

During an operation, his squadron equipped with the formidable fighter aircraft, was chosen for strike missions over a predetermined target.

His squadron subsequently conducted successful strikes over the targets and achieved the desired objectives.

As the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu exhibited exceptional acts of gallantry on multiple occasions, displayed resolute leadership and unwavering dedication to duty in a complex and high-stakes combat environment with disregard to personal safety.

He ensured the planning and execution of air operations of his squadron from three different locations along the Western sector.

He led from the front by flying multiple deep-penetration strike missions to destroy the designated targets with surgical precision and flew Air Defence missions in aid of own forces flying similar strike missions.

In each of these missions, he faced complex threat scenarios and layered air defences.

Despite overwhelming odds, he demonstrated unmatched courage and outstanding tactical acumen, thus ensuring mission success.

His constant liaison and advise to war planning staff ensured achievement of all mission objectives.

Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu made dynamic, real-time decisions in the air, adapting swiftly to emerging threats and operational variables.

Beyond his own missions, he remained deeply engaged in inspiring, motivating and professionally guiding the squadron personnel.

As the Commanding Officer of the unit, he executed the preparatory tasks and undertook operations with outstanding leadership.

He motivated all the officers and airmen placed under his command to keep the aircraft combat ready and serviceable over extended periods during the operations.

The IAF was able to achieve an enhanced offensive posture owing to the unequivocal results achieved by the sqn under his leadership.

For his act of exceptional gallantry and courage, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu is awarded “VIR CHAKRA.”

GROUP CAPTAIN ANIMESH PATNI, FLYING (PILOT)

During an operation, the officer was stationed at a forward airbase, commanding a strategic Surface to Air Missile (SAM) squadron.

On the designated day, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding his team with precision and flair, resulting in a decisive blow to the capabilities of adversaries, inflicting significant losses without suffering any damage.

The officer's contributions during the operation were instrumental, as he supervised surveillance over a very large-area and controlled two firing units. His unwavering focus, unrelenting drive, and ability to devise innovative solutions to complex problems ensured substantial losses of opposing forces while safeguarding his equipment, even in the face of intense fire.

During the Ops, as Commanding Officer, his unit engaged multiple aerial targets. The Unit dynamically relocated to deceive the adversaries and continued to maintain offensive posture.

The destruction achieved by his unit thwarted strike missions of opposing forces.

Group Captain Animesh Patni’s foresight, meticulous planning, and liaison skills were evident in the successful conduct of a pioneering Offensive Air Defence Operation.

Moreover, under his watchful eye and robust security setup, the squadron apprehended a suspected enemy Intelligence Operative near their operational location.

The officer's exemplary leadership, discipline, and management skills ensured incident-free and effective firepower throughout the operation.

The high morale and positivity within the squadron are a testament to his ability to motivate and inspire personnel under his command.

For his act of exceptional gallantry and courage, Group Captain Animesh Patni is awarded “VIR CHAKRA.”

SQUADRON LEADER RIZWAN MALIK, FLYING (PILOT)

During a mission at midnight, he flew as deputy mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralise predesignated targets that were heavily fortified by latest and highly potent air defence weapon systems.

Adversary’s airspace had seamless radar cover and was defended round the clock by aircraft equipped with long range state-of-the-art beyond visual range missiles.

The opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was extremely restricted and launch window available to deliver the weapon was miniscule.

His profile entailed tactical formation routing at low level by dark night, aggressive manoeuvring to achieve launch parameters to deliver the weapon accurately and evade defences of opposite forces.

Despite overwhelming presence of the adversary, he fired his first weapon on the target keeping Mission Objectives over personal safety.

During weapon delivery, he was under adversary’s lethal ranges and had multiple aerial and ground launches on him.

Even in such grave situation, he ensured successful target destruction, displaying dynamic decision making.

The officer carried out an additional attack on second target while flying in high risk engagement zone and successfully annihilated another target.

In attack phase of flight, he was challenged by aggressive electronic counter-measures which were evaded successfully.

During the operation, officer led multiple missions amidst escalated hostile flying environment and fired weapons on target rendering them inoperable.

For his acts of exceptional gallantry and courage, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik is awarded “VIR CHAKRA.”

SQUADRON LEADER SIDDHANT SINGH, FLYING (PILOT)

During an operation, three ac formation was tasked for Stand-Off precision strike on a predesignated target.

This required precise engagement of particular structure with the weapon system that had limited stand-off capability and required precise control of weapon till impact.

The operation entailed accurate planning, precise coordination, exceptional flying skills and highest level of airmanship owing to presence of heavily networked and integrated Air Defence, which included long and medium range Surface to Air Guided Weapons (SAGWs) and Air Defence aircraft armed with long range Beyond Visual Range Missiles.

On the early morning hours, as part of the precision strike package, the formation flew at low levels on the tactical route in order to avoid detection by radars and at opportune moment pulled up to higher levels for weapon release.

As the mission progressed, the strike package was challenged by rapid air response both by way of Air Defence aircraft and SAGWs.

Despite a networked hostile threat environment in air and ground, the officer displayed exceptional courage, enhanced situational awareness and optimal decision making in air and ensured successful delivery of weapon and its successful guidance till impact on target.

Throughout the mission, despite being within lethal range of weapon systems, he maintained calm and focus to ensure destruction of the designated targets.

For his act of exceptional gallantry and courage, Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh is awarded “VIR CHAKRA.”

The award citations for more Indian Armed Forces personnel can be read here.