The government on Saturday clarified that the sacrifice of six military personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor was officially recognized long before their names were recently inscribed on the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
In a clarification published on the
The ministry noted that during an official press conference on May 11, 2025, the then Director General of Military Operations praised the individuals and “specifically recognized their sacrifices in the line of duty during Operation Sindor.” She added that the soldiers’ sacrifices had already been brought to public attention at that time.
This was followed by the Gallantry Awards
The department also said the soldiers received official national recognition through gallantry awards announced later that year.
“These brave people have been awarded gallantry medals and the same has been published in the press release issued on August 14, 2025. This constitutes an official and national recognition of their bravery and supreme sacrifice in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Defense Forces,” the Ministry of Defense said.
According to the government, they were also honored on the official social media platforms of the Indian Army soon after their death.
“At the same time, the official social media platforms of the Indian Army carried salutes to these brave people without delay. The nation’s recognition of these heroes continued thereafter,” the post added.
The names have been added to the war memorial
The clarification came days after the names of six individuals killed during Operation Sindoor, the four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan in May 2025, were inscribed on the National War Memorial, earlier this week.
The victims included five army personnel and one Indian Air Force personnel. They included Rifleman Sunil Kumar of the 4th Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, a medical assistant posted at 39 Wing in Udhampur, who was posthumously awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.
Other individuals whose names and units have been revealed include Major Subedar Pawan Kumar of 10th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, who died on 10 May 2025; Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5th Field Regiment, who died on May 7; AV Mood Muralinaik of the 851st Light Regiment, who died on 9 May; and Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh of the 237th Field Shop Company, who died on June 6, 2025.
HT reported earlier that soldiers were deployed to frontline positions during the operation. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been publicly detailed.
In May 2025, the army confirmed that it had lost five soldiers during Operation Sindoor.
On August 14, 2025, India formally recognized the service and bravery of the individuals who participated in the operation. President Draupadi Murmu approved a slew of wartime honors to soldiers involved in the campaign against terrorism and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
