Six Fallen Soldiers Immortalized at National War Memorial
Six Indian military personnel who died during ‘Operation Sindoor’ last year will be permanently honored at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Their identities have been made public for the first time, and their names will be engraved on individual granite bricks at the monument.
Key Highlights
- The central government formally disclosed the names of six service members killed during 2025‘s Operation Sindoor.
- The multi-service casualty list features five personnel from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force.
- Fallen heroes include a posthumous Vir Chakra recipient and a posthumous Vayu Sena Medal awardee.
- The names are now part of the Tyag Chakra to ensure their sacrifices are permanently preserved.
New Delhi, June 26 : Six bravehearts of the Indian armed forces, who laid down their lives during ‘Operation Sindoor’ β Indiaβs military response to the Pahalgam massacre, against Pakistan in May last year, are set to be immortalised at the National War Memorial.
The names of these martyred soldiers will be inscribed at the National War Memorial in the national Capital. Their names will be engraved on the granite bricks at the memorial.
The identities of the six fallen soldiers who made their supreme sacrifice for the nation have been made public for the first time. They include five soldiers from the Indian Army and one sergeant from the Indian Air Force.
Two of the martyrs have also been honoured by the government for their bravery. They are Rifleman Sunil Kumar, who was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously while Sergeant Surendra Kumar was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal posthumously.
The six brave soldiers martyred in ‘Operation Sindoor’ include Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Murali Naik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Indian Air Force Sergeant Surendra Kumar.
Five of these personnel belonged to the Indian Army, while one belonged to the Indian Air Force.
Their names are being inscribed at the National War Memorial to ensure that their supreme sacrifice remains alive in the nation’s memory forever.
The names of these heroes of ‘Operation Sindoor’ were released alongside the list of all soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during various military operations in 2025.
Notably, the ‘Tyag Chakra’ (Circle of Sacrifice) at National War Memorial is dedicated to the nation’s martyrs. It comprises 16 circular granite walls; the name, rank, and unit of every soldier who made the supreme sacrifice for the country after Independence are inscribed on the bricks of these walls.
Now, the names of these six brave sons from ‘Operation Sindoor’ will also become a permanent part of this glorious memorial.
First Disclosure of Casualties
This is the first time that the government has disclosed the identities of the personnel killed during Operation Sindoor,
The list also shows that the casualties came from both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, underlining the multi-service nature of the operation.
Among the personnel honoured are Rifleman Sunil Kumar, a Vir Chakra awardee, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, who had received the Vayu Medal.
The names are engraved on a special brick at the National War Memorial, which features the Tyag Chakra, a circle of sacrifice comprising 16 concentric circular walls built entirely from granite. Each brick bears the name, rank, and regiment of a fallen martyr who made the supreme sacrifice since Independence.
Strike Followed Pahalgam Terror Attack
India launched Operation Sindoor before dawn on May 7, 2025, after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 civilians.
Taking action against the terror infrastructure, the Indian forces struck nine terror-linked locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The targets included infrastructure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Military action was halted on May 10 after India and Pakistan held talks between their Directors General of Military Operations.
Historical Context of Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was executed as a rapid, targeted response to the cross-border security threat that emerged in early 2025. On April 22, 2025, a major terror assault in Pahalgam resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, prompting immediate military planning.
The subsequent multi-service campaign commenced on May 7, 2025, mapping out nine specific locations tied to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The high-intensity counter-terrorism engagement concluded on May 10, 2025, following direct de-escalation talks between the respective Directors General of Military Operations.
FAQs
What was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a cross-border military campaign launched by India on May 7, 2025. It targeted nine terror-linked infrastructure sites associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Why was Operation Sindoor launched?
The military operation was launched in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Who are the six fallen service members recognized at the memorial?
The recognized personnel are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Aviation Technician Mood Muralinaik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar.
What gallantry awards were given to the fallen soldiers?
Rifleman Sunil Kumar was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for his bravery, which was presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Air Force Sergeant Surendra Kumar was posthumously honored with the Vayu Sena Medal.
What is the Tyag Chakra at the National War Memorial?
The Tyag Chakra, or Circle of Sacrifice, is a section of the National War Memorial consisting of 16 concentric circular granite walls. It features granite bricks inscribed with the name, rank, and regiment of every Indian service member killed in action since Independence.
