One of the fighter pilots awarded the Vir Chakra for his gallantry during Operation Sindoor, a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May, he flew multiple deep penetration strike missions to hit specified targets with surgical precision. The pilot, Group Captain Ranjit Singh Sidhu, also carried out air defense missions to support other fighter pilots flying similar strike missions.
“As Commanding Officer, Sidhu displayed extraordinary gallantry on several occasions, displaying steadfast leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in a complex and high-risk combat environment without regard to personal safety,” said an excerpt from his citation published in the Gazette of India dated October 4, but being reported for the first time.
Sidhu was commanding the Rafale squadron.
He was among the 15 Indian soldiers and security personnel who were awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest war honour, by President Draupadi Murmu on the eve of the 79th Independence Day for playing a key role in countering terrorism and attacking military targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the May 7-10 clash. Of course, the citations had not been issued at the time of the awards announcement.
The government has appreciated Sidhu for planning and implementing his squadron’s air operations from three different locations in the western region.
“In each of these missions, he faced complex threat scenarios and layered air defenses. Despite overwhelming odds, he demonstrated unmatched courage and outstanding tactical skill…His constant contact and advice with war planning staff ensured the achievement of all mission objectives,” his citation said, adding that he made dynamic, real-time decisions in the air, rapidly adapting to emerging threats and operational variables.
“His courageous leadership and composure under fire were instrumental in achieving the desired attack results while ensuring the survival of his forces performing the mission under AD (air defence) cover of his squadron.” It said the IAF achieved an enhanced offensive posture due to the visible results achieved by the squadron under his leadership.
Operation Sindoor marked New Delhi’s direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people were killed. India launched the operation in the early hours of 7 May and attacked terrorist and military targets in Pakistan and PoK.
Another fighter pilot, Group Captain Manish Arora, flew as mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralize pre-determined targets, which were heavily fortified by advanced weapon systems of Pakistani forces.
His “bold and aggressive manoeuvres” have been credited with throwing the Pakistani Army into tactical disarray. It has now emerged that the airfield in which he was operating had uninterrupted radar cover and was being protected round the clock by enemy aircraft equipped with modern beyond visual range missiles. “The opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was limited and the launch window to deliver the weapon was quite short. His (Arora’s) profile involved tactical formation passage at low level in the dark night, followed by aggressive maneuvers, so as to achieve the launch parameters to deliver the weapon accurately and at the same time avoid hostile defenses. In the face of heavy presence of large numbers of opposing forces Regardless, they fired their weapons at the designated targets. Placing mission objectives above personal safety,” Arora’s Vir Chakra citation reads, which also reveals the additional challenges he faced.
During weapons delivery, he was flying below the lethal range of the opponent and was subjected to numerous air and ground launches, but the attacks made by him and his unit against the opponent were so intense that they left them unable to retaliate.
Group Captain Animesh Patni, who was also awarded the Vir Chakra for his extraordinary courage, was commanding a surface-to-air missile squadron at the forward base during the operation. He has been praised for guiding his team with precision and skill, resulting in a decisive blow to the opponents’ capabilities and without causing significant losses.
Patni’s citation said, “The officer’s contribution during the operation was significant, as he maintained surveillance over a very large area and controlled two firing units. His unwavering focus, incredible drive and ability to formulate innovative solutions to complex problems ensured substantial losses to the opposing forces while protecting their equipment.”
It said his unit moved to deceive opponents and maintained an aggressive stance and the destruction achieved by his unit foiled the attack mission of the opposing forces.
Group Captain Kunal Kalra’s quote is similar to Arora’s quote, except that he also suffered aircraft malfunction and bad weather during the mission. They were tasked with destroying two targets.
“Despite facing the unusable condition of the aircraft in the air and the heavy presence of a large number of adversaries, he fired his first weapon at the target, keeping the mission objectives in mind over his personal safety. The first objective was achieved and he proceeded towards his second target. While preparing his weapon for firing, the system showed signs of malfunction. Fearless, the officer flew under lethal range of the opposing forces, evading numerous air and ground launches. Remained. He took remedial action to reset his weapon system and brought his weapon back online. He not only ensured successful destruction of the second target but also ensured the safety of his wingman.
Apart from the 15 Vir Chakras, the 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards sanctioned by the President include four Kirti Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two times Sena Medal (gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry), seven Best Yudh Seva Medals, nine Merit Medals (gallantry). Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and 24 Yudh Seva Medals.
Excerpts from some other Vir Chakra quotes
Wing Commander Joy Chandra: The operation required complex planning, precise coordination, exceptional airmanship and the highest level of situation awareness due to the presence of the adversaries’ heavily networked AD grid, which included AD aircraft and surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGW). The formation flew at low level on a strategic route to avoid detection by radar and pulled up to high level to release weapons at the appropriate time. As the mission progressed, the strike package was challenged by intense air response through both AD aircraft and SAGW. Throughout the mission, despite being within lethal range of the weapon systems, he maintained calm and focused on ensuring destruction of assigned targets.
Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar: Kumar played a key role in two critical, high-risk long-range stand-off strike missions. On the designated day, displaying unwavering patience and incredible tenacity under intense pressure, he successfully executed a deep attack mission, engaging the designated target with surgical precision. The following day, Kumar was again tasked to fly a long-range strike mission, resulting in the destruction of another important target, severely degrading the operational capabilities of the adversaries and weakening their ability to effectively fight the war.
Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh: The three-aircraft formation was tasked with stand-off precision attack on a predetermined target. This required precise engagement of specialized structures with weapon systems that had limited stand-off capability and required precise control of the weapon until impact. The operation involved precise planning, precise co-ordination, extraordinary flying skills and airmanship of the highest order. Despite the networked hostile threat environment in the air and on the ground, the officer displayed extraordinary courage, heightened situational awareness and optimal decision making in the air and ensured successful delivery of the weapon and its successful guidance till impact on the target.
Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik: During a mission at midnight, he flew as deputy mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralize pre-determined targets which were heavily reinforced by the latest and highly powerful air defense weapon systems. Despite heavy enemy presence, he fired his first weapon at the target, placing mission objectives over personal safety. During weapon delivery, he was within lethal range of the opponent and was hit by multiple air and ground launches. Even in such critical conditions he ensured successful destruction of the target. The officer made an additional attack on the second target while flying in a high risk area and successfully destroyed the second target. In the attack phase of the flight, they were challenged by offensive electronic countermeasures, which were successfully avoided. During the operation, the officer led several missions amidst an increasingly hostile flying environment and fired weapons at targets, neutralizing them.
Colonel Koshank Lamba (302 Medium Regiment): He displayed impeccable leadership and executed the first air mobilization of a special equipment battery in a very short time, thereby ensuring timely inter-command induction to the ‘operation’ with complete secrecy. Due to his vast experience this officer was able to act at short notice and was instrumental in completing the acquisition and analysis of one of the most difficult targets. His technical skills on equipment, tactical knowledge and timely continuous mission oriented training transformed his subunit into mission capable within five days. Once the unit was tasked with the coordinated precision action of the most critical terrorist infrastructure, the officer displayed utmost courage and directed a synchronized fire mission with complete surprise despite enemy surveillance and firing. Once the enemy retaliated with a heavy bombardment, without regard for personal safety, the commanding officer continued moving from one gun to the next, leading his troops to ensure mission accomplishment. His steadfast leadership and bravery in the face of enemy fire resulted in the destruction of several terrorist camps and the killing of a large number of terrorists.
Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht (1988 (Independent) Medium Battery): He brought tremendous success to his unit by completely destroying the terrorist camps. Displaying exceptional operational skills, he conducted intensive planning to determine precise target coordinates using the latest satellite imagery and carefully briefed the commander-in-chain on the implementation methodology. Upon receiving orders to attack terrorist camps, he rapidly deployed his unit under the cover of darkness. Despite the threat of enemy counter-bombardment, he ensured the safe and timely evacuation of all troops under his command. Then, he was assigned the task of destroying a major target. Without any delay, the officer prepared his unit and displayed indomitable courage under intense attack and continuous enemy fire, leading his men to success.
