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Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Honoured with Vishisht Seva Medal for Operation Sindoor

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent figure in Operation Sindoor, has been named a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours list. President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous honours. The list features top awards like the Ashok Chakra for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Kirti Chakras for several others. In total, 301 military decorations and 98 Mentions-in-Despatches were approved for personnel across various operations.

Key Points: Republic Day Gallantry Awards 2026: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Honoured

  • Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to receive Vishisht Seva Medal
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashok Chakra
  • 301 total military decorations approved
  • 98 personnel Mentioned-in-Despatches
2 min read

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to be conferred with the Vishisht Sewa Medal

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a key figure in Operation Sindoor, is among 70 Armed Forces personnel receiving Republic Day gallantry awards from President Murmu.

"President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their exceptional courage and sacrifice. - Official Announcement"

New Delhi, January 25

Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who was a prominent face during the Operation Sindoor, has been named as a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours list.

Sofia Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, shared day-to-day details of the strikes that were carried out during Operation Sindoor.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their exceptional courage and sacrifice on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The list includes six posthumous honours.

These include one Ashok Chakra; three Kirti Chakras; 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Among the awardees are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth and several others from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first India to visit the International Space Station (ISS) will be conferred with the Ashok Chakra, the coutry's highest peacetime Gallantry award.

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba will receive the Kirti Chakra for their exemplary service. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth will be honoured with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.

The President has also approved 301 military decorations for the Armed Forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Distinguished Bars to the Sena Medal, 43 Distinguished Sena Medals, eight Distinguished Nao Sena Medals, 14 Distinguished Vayu Sena Medals, and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

President Murmu has also approved 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches to the Armed Forces personnel, including five posthumous, on the eve of 77th Republic Day. These include 81 from the Indian Army - 17 for Operation Rakshak; 11 for Operation Snow Leopard; 11 for Operation Hifazat; five for Operation Orchid; two for Operation Meghdoot; one for Operation Rhino; two for Operation Sindoor; three for Rescue Operation; four for Operation Casualty Evacuation; one for Operation Soffain; 24 for Miscellaneous Operations, including three posthumous; 15 for the Indian Navy; and two for Border Roads Development Board personnel (posthumous).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud! It's wonderful to see a woman officer being honoured with the Vishisht Seva Medal. Col. Qureshi's role in communicating the details of Operation Sindoor was crucial for public awareness. More power to our women in uniform!
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Vikram M
A well-deserved honour. While we celebrate the heroes, I hope the government also ensures robust support for the families of the five posthumous awardees. Their sacrifice is the ultimate price for our safety.
R
Rohit P
Group Captain Shukla getting the Ashok Chakra is amazing! First Indian on the ISS and now this. Our scientists and soldiers are making the nation proud on every frontier. The list is impressive - from Operation Snow Leopard to Sindoor.
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Sarah B
Reading about so many operations – Rakshak, Meghdoot, Sindoor – really puts into perspective the constant, wide-ranging challenges our forces handle. Eternal gratitude to all 301 personnel receiving decorations. A powerful Republic Day message.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while medals are important, I hope the focus on honours doesn't overshadow the need for better equipment and welfare for our jawans on the ground. The real tribute would be ensuring they have the best tools and care. Still, congratulations to all!
N
Nisha Z

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