New Delhi:On the eve of Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards for the armed forces, including fighter pilots and top three-star generals, for their roles in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor.The Centre awarded the Vir Chakra, the country’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, to nine Indian Air Force (IAF) officers, including fighter pilots, who targeted terrorist group headquarters in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur, as well as military assets there.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 have been awarded the Vir Chakra.In addition, 26 officers and airmen of the IAF have been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), including fighter pilots and personnel operating the S-400 and other air defence systems. Notably, the list includes the sons of two former Air Force Chiefs, Group Captain Omar Browne, son of former Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, and Squadron Leader Mihir Chaudhari, son of former Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.Meanwhile, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma are among the top military officers conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the highest wartime distinguished service decoration awarded for exceptional service in an operational context, including during war, conflict, or hostilities.Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, heading the South Western Air Command, and Air Marshal Jeetendra Misra, leading the Western Air Command, have also been conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, played a critical role in deploying naval assets following the Pahalgam attack and has also been awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who played a major role in finalising the Navy’s deployment strategy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam strike, has been conferred the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.ADG strategic communications Maj Gen Sandeep Sharda has been awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for effective communication during Operation Sindoor.The President has also approved four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 16 Shaurya Chakras.
Source link
