Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to be conferred with the Vishisht Sewa Medal

NEW DELHI: Colonel Sofyia 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.

Sofiya 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)