New Delhi: On the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, the nation saluted 16 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel awarded gallantry medals for their fearless actions during Operation Sindoor. From neutralising Pakistani drones to destroying enemy surveillance posts under heavy fire, these bravehearts showed what it means to guard India’s borders. Their stories, marked by sacrifice and grit, are a testament to the BSF’s role as the country’s first line of defence along the 2,290 km India-Pakistan border. But at what cost? Two jawans made the ultimate sacrifice, and seven others were wounded in this fierce retaliation to a deadly terror attack.
A Bold Response To Terror
Operation Sindoor, launched from May 7 to 10, 2025, was India’s answer to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir. The 88-hour operation, involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, and BSF, targeted terrorist camps and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Posts on X hailed it as a decisive blow, with some claiming it crippled two Pakistani airbases and nine terror camps. The BSF’s role was pivotal, with its jawans facing intense enemy fire along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).
The Union government recognised 16 BSF personnel for their “conspicuous bravery” and “unmatched valour.” Among them are Deputy Commandant Ravindra Rathore, Assistant Commandants Abhishek Srivastav and Alok Negi, and Inspector Devi Lal. Their actions — destroying surveillance cameras, neutralising drones, and resupplying ammunition under fire— turned the tide in India’s favour.
Tales Of Courage
At the Kharkola border post in Jammu, just 200 metres from the IB, Assistant Commandant Abhishek Srivastav led his team — Head Constable Brij Mohan Singh and Constables Depeswar Barman, Bhupendra Bajpai, Rajan Kumar, and Basavaraja Shivappa Sunkada— against a swarm of Pakistani drones on May 10. They shot down one, but another dropped a mortar shell on their bunker, killing Sub-Inspector Mohammed Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham. Despite the loss, Srivastav evacuated his injured men under relentless fire, earning praise for his leadership. Both fallen jawans are set to receive posthumous military honours.
Sub-Inspector Vyas Dev and Constable Suddi Rabha showed extraordinary resolve at another post. When a Pakistani mortar shell cost Dev his left leg, he stayed conscious, rallied his team, and ensured ammunition reached forward troops. Rabha, standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Dev, refused to back down despite severe injuries. Their citation lauds their “tremendous courage” in a “risk-prone” mission.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Udai Vir Singh, stationed at Jabowal in Jammu, took out a Pakistani surveillance camera amid heavy fire. A shrapnel wound to his lip didn’t stop him — he went on to destroy a Pakistani heavy machine gun post, ensuring Indian dominance. “His actions inspired fellow troops,” his citation reads. Meanwhile, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajappa BT and Constable Manohar Xalxo braved a mortar explosion to resupply ammunition at Karotana Khurd, completing their mission despite grievous wounds.
A Nation’s Gratitude
The BSF, tasked with securing India’s western frontier, called these 16 jawans “Seema Praharis” (border guardians) in a social media post. “These medals reflect the nation’s trust in the BSF as India’s first line of defence,” it said. The honours are part of a larger announcement by the Union Home Ministry, which awarded 1,090 service medals, including 233 gallantry medals, with 152 going to Jammu and Kashmir Police, 20 to CRPF, and 14 to Chhattisgarh Police.
Critics, however, point to a lack of public acknowledgement for the operation’s losses. One X post lamented that the Modi government failed to honour the 10 soldiers, including two BSF jawans, who died, calling it a “shameful oversight”. Yet, the gallantry awards underscore the BSF’s sacrifice, with names like Deputy Commandant Mahesh Chand Jat also earning commendations for intelligence work.
Operation Sindoor wasn’t just a military strike — it was a statement. Pakistan’s retaliatory drones and munitions failed against India’s air defences, but the BSF’s ground efforts ensured no inch was yielded. These medals honour not just individual bravery but the collective resolve of a force that operates at one of the world’s most volatile borders. As India celebrates Independence Day, these stories remind us of the price paid for security — and the heroes who pay it.