Centre says Operation Sindoor soldiers were recognised earlier, dismisses claims of delayed honour for martyrs

The government on Saturday clarified that the sacrifice of six military personnel killed during Operation Sindoor had been formally recognised well before their names were recently added to the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

In a post on X, the defence ministry said reports suggesting that the deaths of the soldiers had come to public attention only after the inscription of their names at the memorial were “incorrect”. It said the nation had paid tribute to the fallen personnel at the earliest opportunity.

The ministry said that during an official press conference on May 11, 2025, the then director general of military operations had paid homage to the soldiers and acknowledged their sacrifice during Operation Sindoor.

It added that the personnel later received national recognition through gallantry awards announced in August 2025.

“These bravehearts were conferred with gallantry awards, which were published in the press release of August 14, 2025. This was a formal recognition of their valour and supreme sacrifice,” the ministry said.

The government also said the Indian Army had shared tributes to the soldiers on its official social media platforms soon after their deaths.

The clarification came after the names of six personnel killed during Operation Sindoor, India’s four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025, were added to the National War Memorial earlier this week.

The casualties included five Army personnel and one Indian Air Force member. Among them were Rifleman Sunil Kumar of the 4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, a medical assistant with 39 Wing in Udhampur, who received the Vayu Sena Medal posthumously.

The other personnel recognised were Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of Headquarters 10 Infantry Brigade, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of 5 Field Regiment, AV Muralinaik of 851 Light Regiment, and Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh of 237 Field Workshop Company.

The soldiers were deployed at frontline positions during the operation, though details surrounding their deaths have not been publicly disclosed.

The Army had confirmed in May 2025 that it lost five personnel during Operation Sindoor. Later, on August 14, 2025, India announced wartime honours for personnel involved in the operation, with President Droupadi Murmu approving gallantry awards recognising their service and bravery.