Colonel Sofia Qureshi. File | Photo credit: ANI
Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who was a prominent face during Operation Sindoor, has been named as a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honors list.
Sofia Qureshi along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared day-to-day details of the attacks that were carried out during Operation Sindoor.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday (January 25, 2026) approved gallantry awards for 70 members of the armed forces in recognition of their exceptional courage and sacrifice on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The list includes six posthumous honors.
These include one Ashok Chakra; the three Kirti Chakras; 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one after death; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 44 Sena (Gallantry) medals, including five posthumous; six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Among the awardees are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth and several others from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Group captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will be awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peace award for bravery.
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba will receive the Kirti Chakra for their exemplary service. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will be honored with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
The President 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 and Senay Medals, 15 Senay Medals, 15 Vishisht Medals Seva.
Also on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Murmu approved the aforementioned 98 dispatches to the personnel of the armed forces, including five posthumous ones. 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 a rescue operation; four for a casualty evacuation operation; one for Operation Soffain; 24 for various operations, including three postmortems; 15 for the Indian Navy; and two for employees of the Border Roads Development Board (posthumous).
Published – 26 Jan 2026 0:40 AM IST
