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The government has officially disclosed the names of six defence personnel who were killed in action during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May 2025, marking the first formal acknowledgement of fatalities suffered by the Indian armed forces during the four-day military confrontation.
The names of the six personnel, five from the Army and one from the Indian Air Force, have been added to the Roll of Honour on the website of the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Their names will also be inscribed on commemorative bricks at the memorial.
The fallen personnel are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar (Vir Chakra), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Aviation Technician Mood Muralinaik and Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh of the Indian Army, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar (Vayu Medal) of the Indian Air Force.
The inclusion of their names at the National War Memorial constitutes the government’s first official confirmation of combat losses during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to heightened hostilities with Pakistan in May last year. Until now, New Delhi had not publicly identified personnel killed during the operation despite reports and speculation over casualties.
Most of the six personnel are understood to have been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said Rifleman Sunil Kumar was serving along the Line of Control when he was killed in action.
Two of the six personnel had been decorated for gallantry. Rifleman Sunil Kumar was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, the country’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, while Sergeant Surendra Kumar had been conferred the Vayu Medal.
At the Defence Investiture Ceremony held on June 8, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Vir Chakra (Posthumous) to Rifleman Sunil Kumar. The award was received by his parents, Sudesh Kumari and Yash Paul.
The publication of the six names in the National War Memorial’s Roll of Honour is being viewed as a significant step in officially recording the sacrifices made by Indian military personnel during Operation Sindoor.
Team BharatShakti
