Amid a political controversy over the six personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Ministry on Saturday said the nation had honoured the fallen soldiers at the earliest opportunity. It stated that their sacrifice had already been formally recognised through tributes, gallantry awards, and ceremonial honours, adding that they would always be remembered with dignity, gratitude, and respect.
The ministry’s clarification came after the Congress alleged that the government had failed to acknowledge the martyrs for nearly a year, accusing it of concealing their sacrifice. Rejecting the allegation, the Defence Ministry said claims circulating in reports and on social media that the personnel had been recognised only recently were inaccurate.
Without naming any individual or organisation, the Defence Ministry said that certain media reports and social media posts had incorrectly claimed that the sacrifice of six personnel who died during Operation Sindoor had been acknowledged publicly only recently. The ministry clarified that the nation had honoured the fallen soldiers at the earliest opportunity, well before the reports in question.
It said that during an official press briefing on May 11, 2025, the then Director General of Military Operations had paid tribute to the six personnel and specifically recognised their sacrifice in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor. The ministry also noted that the soldiers were awarded gallantry honours, which were announced in an official press release issued on August 14, 2025, describing the awards as formal national recognition of their courage and supreme sacrifice.
The Defence Ministry said the Indian Army’s official social media platforms paid tribute to the six personnel without delay. It added that during the Army Day Parade in Jaipur on January 15 this year, the Chief of the Army Staff presented the Sena Medal (Gallantry) to the families of three of the fallen soldiers, while the Chief of the Air Staff conferred the same honour on the families of the remaining personnel on October 8, 2025.
Describing the six personnel as national heroes, the ministry said their courage, dedication to duty and supreme sacrifice would continue to inspire future generations. It reaffirmed that the Indian Armed Forces remain committed to honouring every soldier who lays down their life in service of the nation.
The ministry also highlighted that the names of all six personnel have been inscribed on the National War Memorial as a mark of respect. Their names appear on Wall No. 3D of the Tyag Chakra, along with their respective unit names. The honoured personnel are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar (VrC), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Mood Muralinaik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Indian Air Force Sergeant Surendra Kumar.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 last year. Addressing the inscription of the names at the memorial, the ministry said the process follows a well-established protocol and is carried out with due diligence, care and reverence, reflecting the solemn nature of the honour bestowed upon the fallen personnel.
The Defence Ministry said its statement was intended to clarify that the six personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor had already been publicly honoured through official tributes, gallantry awards, ceremonial recognitions and, most recently, the inscription of their names at the National War Memorial.