Govt to Immortalize ‘Operation Sindoor’ Martyrs at National War Memorial

New Delhi (IANS): The Indian government will immortalize six bravehearts of the Indian armed forces at the National War Memorial after they laid down their lives during ‘Operation Sindoor’—India’s military response to the Pahalgam massacre against Pakistan in May last year.

Authorities will engrave the names, ranks, and units of these martyred soldiers onto the granite bricks within the memorial in the national capital.

Identities Revealed for the First Time

For the first time, officials have made public the identities of the six fallen soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The heroes include five soldiers from the Indian Army and one sergeant from the Indian Air Force:

• Subedar Major Pawan Kumar (Indian Army)
• Rifleman Sunil Kumar (Indian Army)
• Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar (Indian Army)
• Agniveer Murali Naik (Indian Army)
• Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh (Indian Army)
• Sergeant Surendra Kumar (Indian Air Force)

The government has also posthumously honoured two of these martyrs for their exceptional bravery. The state awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously to Rifleman Sunil Kumar, while Sergeant Surendra Kumar received the Vayu Sena Medal posthumously.

Joining the Circle of Sacrifice

Officials released the names of these ‘Operation Sindoor’ heroes alongside the comprehensive list of all soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during various military operations in 2025. By inscribing their names at the National War Memorial, the nation ensures that their supreme sacrifice remains alive in India’s memory forever.

The ‘Tyag Chakra’ (Circle of Sacrifice) at the National War Memorial honours the nation’s fallen heroes. It features 16 circular granite walls, each with individual bricks displaying the identity of every soldier who died for the country after Independence. Now, the names of these six brave sons will permanently join this glorious memorial.