India, Oct. 22 -- One of the fighter pilots decorated with Vir Chakra for his heroism during Operation Sindoor, the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May, flew multiple deep-penetration strike missions to take out designated targets with surgical precision. The pilot, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, also carried out air defence missions to support other fighter pilots flying similar strike missions.

"As the Commanding Officer, Sidhu exhibited exceptional acts of gallantry on multiple occasions, displayed resolute leadership and unwavering dedication to duty in a complex and high-stakes combat environment with disregard to personal safety," reads an excerpt from his citation published in the Gazette of India dated Octobe...