New Delhi: Operation Sindoor began with the Indian Air Force (IAF) launching precision strikes that turned into an intense battle of wits and daring in the skies while the Army unleashed its artillery and drone warfare fury along the Line of Control (LoC) decimating targeted terror infrastructure across Pakistan-occupied territory.
In a coordinated campaign, IAF fighters destroyed key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters while subsequent strikes forced the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) into defensive action—scrambling aircraft after suffering losses in air combat and attacks on its bases.
Fresh details of the operation have come out in the Gazette Notification published by the Government giving citations of those who were awarded Vir Chakra for their bravery.
The citations reveal the intensity of the air operations and those along the LoC.
Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, the Commanding Officer of the Rafale Squadron tasked with strike on JeM and LeT headquarters, was awarded with the Vir Chakra.
His citation, without mentioning Operation Sindoor, says that “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, it said.
The citation added that as the Commanding Officer, Group Captain 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.
Giving details of the strike operations, it said, “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, the citation read.
His constant liaison and advice to war planning staff ensured achievement of all mission objectives, it said, adding that his bold leadership and composure under fire were instrumental in achieving the intended strike outcomes while ensuring survivability of own forces that were undertaking missions under the Air Defence cover of his squadron.
This meant that the Rafale squadron was providing the air defence coverage for the Su 30 MKIs that were used for firing the BrahMos air-to-surface missiles on the Pakistani air bases.
Group Captain Manish Arora, who is a Shaurya Chakra awardee, also got the Vir Chakra for leading his squadron and personally carrying out daring strikes even as he was fired upon by both Pakistani fighter jets and ground air defences.
This means that he led the strike package post the initial strikes on the terror infrastructure and targeted Pakistani air bases.
His citation said that during an operation, he flew as mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralise predetermined targets that were heavily fortified by an advanced weapon system of opposing forces.
The airspace had seamless radar cover and was defended round-the-clock by aircraft equipped with long range state of art beyond visual range missiles. Opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was limited and the launch window to deliver the weapon was significantly short.
“His profile entailed tactical formation routing at low level by dark night followed by aggressive manoeuvring, so as to achieve launch parameters to deliver the weapon accurately and simultaneously evade hostile defences.
“Despite overwhelming presence of the opposing forces in large numbers, he fired his weapon on the designated targets keeping mission objectives above personal safety,” the citation read.
It added that during weapon delivery, he was flying under the adversary’s lethal ranges and had multiple aerial and ground launches on him.
“He not only ensured successful target destruction, but alerted his formation ensuring safety of his wingmen. During the operation, his audacious and aggressive manoeuvring plunged the opposing forces into tactical chaos.
“The attacks carried out by him and his unit against the adversary were so intense that they rendered them incapable of retaliating. He maintained composure and mission focus, enabling the strike team to achieve its objective with nil attrition,” the citation read.
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S-400 unit
Group Captain Animesh Patni, the Commanding Officer of a S-400 Triumf air defence unit, also got a Vir Chakra for not just taking down Pakistani aircraft in air but also defending his equipment from enemy fire and also arrested a Pakistani intelligence operative.
“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,” the citation read.
It added that during the operation, 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 citation read.
The citation reveals that while the PAF carried out strikes on S-400 locations, the unit kept moving, keeping the enemy confused about the exact coordinates.
Exceptional bravery
Group Captain Kunal Kalra, the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron, also got the Vir Chakra for his exceptional bravery of carrying out successful strikes despite his aircraft developing problems mid-flight when faced with enemy air defences.
“During tasking of an operation on short notice, the officer ensured all his aircrew and aircraft were mission ready. On a designated day, he flew as mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralise predetermined targets that were heavily fortified by modern air defence weapon system,” the citation read.
It added that the opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was limited and the launch window to deliver the weapon was miniscule.
“He was tasked to destroy two targets while navigating through adverse weather en-route. His profile entailed tactical formation routing at low level by dark night followed by aggressive manoeuvring to achieve launch parameters so as to deliver the weapon accurately.
“Despite encountering aircraft unserviceability in air and overwhelming presence of adversaries in large numbers, he fired his first weapon on the target keeping Mission Objectives over his personal safety.
“First objective was achieved and he proceeded towards his second target. While readying his weapon for firing, the system displayed indications of malfunction. Officer undauntingly kept flying under lethal range of opposing forces, evading multiple aerial and ground launches. He executed remedial actions to reset his weapon system and brought his weapon back online.
“He not only ensured successful second target destruction, but also ensured safety of his wingmen,” it said.
He was praised for re-allotting one remaining target in air to another formation ensuring complete target annihilation.
Wing Commander Joy Chandra was awarded the Vir Chakra for successfully carrying out strikes despite being fired upon by both air defence fighters and ground units.
The officer was tasked with executing a precision strike on predetermined targets and the operation required intricate planning, precise coordination, exceptional airmanship and highest level of situation awareness owing to the presence of a heavily networked Air Defence grid of adversaries.
“The formation flew at low levels on the tactical route to avoid detection by radars and at opportune moments 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 (Surface to Air Guided Weapons).
“Despite a networked hostile threat environment in air and ground, the officer displayed exceptional courage, enhanced situational awareness and optimal decision making in hostile environments and ensured successful delivery of weapon and its successful guidance till impact on target,” his citation read.
Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar, who was part of the IAF mission planning cell, was also awarded the Vir Chakra.
He is credited for playing a pivotal role in the conceptualisation, coordination and execution of multiple deep strike missions.
He methodically worked with steadfast commitment, unshakeable focus and in absolute secrecy, his citation read, adding that the methodical preparation of target folders and incorporation of precise intelligence data was instrumental in enabling mission success while mitigating operational risks.
The citation said that Squadron Leader Kumar played a pivotal role in two critical, high-stakes long-range stand-off strike missions.
“On the designated day, demonstrating unwavering composure and unrelenting tenacity under intense pressure, he successfully executed a deep strike mission targeting the assigned target with surgical precision.
“On the next day, Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar was again tasked to fly a long range strike mission that resulted in the destruction of another critical target, thereby critically degrading the operational capabilities of adversaries and crippling its ability to wage war effectively.
“He executed this mission with unwavering commitment, despite countering the threats from multiple long range surface to air weapon systems and Beyond Visual Range missiles.
“His actions which were a vital component of the strike element directly impacted the capacity of opposite forces to resist, significantly contributing towards the achievement of all major operational objectives and ultimately securing a decisive victory,” the citation read.
Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh, who was part of three aircraft formation tasked for Stand-Off precision strike on a predesignated target, was also awarded Vir Chakra.
This strike required precise engagement of particular structure with the weapon system that had limited stand-off capability and required precise control of weapon till impact.
“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 an 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,” his citation read.
Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, who was the Deputy Mission Leader of a strike package, was also awarded Vir Chakra.
His citation read that 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 and 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.
“The officer carried out an additional attack on the second target while flying in high risk engagement zone and successfully annihilated another target. In the attack phase of flight, he was challenged by aggressive electronic countermeasures which were evaded successfully.
“During the operation, the officer led multiple missions amidst an escalated hostile flying environment and fired weapons on target rendering them inoperable,” the citation read.
Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur was also awarded the Vir Chakra. During the operation at midnight, he flew as part of an unescorted strike package to neutralise the predesignated target by executing precision weapon strike, which spearheaded military operations.
“The targets were heavily defended by potent Air Defence Weapon systems. The opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was limited and the launch window to deliver the weapon was miniscule. He also led a two aircraft unescorted strike mission on a crucial target on the same night.
“Despite overwhelming presence of adversary, he courageously fired his weapon on the target amidst eminent threat showing disregard to his personal safety. He led his formation by routing at low levels at night while avoiding adverse weather, displaying exceptional situational awareness and courage.
“During weapon delivery, his formation was under adversary’s lethal ranges and had multiple aerial and ground launches on him. His formation achieved successful target destruction. During the operation, his audacious and aggressive manoeuvring plunged the adversaries into tactical chaos. His attack on adversary had devastating effect,” his citation read.
Swift mobilisation
Colonel Koshank Lamba of the Army, who on a short notice executed first ever air mobilisation of a specialised equipment battery, thereby ensuring timely inter command induction for ‘Operation’ with utter secrecy, was awarded the Vir Chakra.
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 targets.
“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 being 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,” his citation read.
Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht also got the Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor. As the Officer Commanding, he led his unit to resounding success by causing complete destruction of terrorist camps, his citation read.
“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,” it said.
Upon receiving orders to strike terrorist camps, he swiftly deployed his unit under cover of darkness and carried out the successful assault.
(Edited by Tony Rai)