Source TOI
NEW DELHI — For the first time, the Indian government has officially released the names of the six armed forces personnel who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor, India’s intense counter-terrorism response to the Pahalgam terror attacks last year.
To ensure their supreme sacrifice is permanently woven into the nation’s history, their names, ranks, and units will be engraved onto the granite bricks of the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
The Fallen Heroes
The list includes five personnel from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force. Two of these brave service members have also been recognized with posthumous gallantry awards for their exceptional bravery under fire:
Rifleman Sunil Kumar (Posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra)
Sergeant Surendra Kumar, Indian Air Force (Posthumously awarded the Vayu Sena Medal)
Subedar Major Pawan Kumar
Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar
Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh
Agniveer Murali Naik
Their names were made public alongside the annual roll of honor for all military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during various operations across 2025.
What Was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, immediately following a devastating terror strike in Pahalgam. In a swift, multi-pronged response, Indian armed forces executed highly coordinated precision strikes on nine active terror launchpads located across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
The operation successfully dismantled major infrastructure belonging to prominent terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, eliminating more than 100 terrorists.
The precision strikes triggered a tense, four-day military standoff as Pakistan retaliated with intense shelling and cross-border drone attacks. The escalation was brought to a halt on May 10, 2025, after a ceasefire agreement was reached during direct discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations.
Marking the first anniversary of the military action, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the operation, describing it as a defining testament to “India’s firm response against terrorism and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security.”
