On the 79th Independence Day, several private sector drone makers were honoured with the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Commendation Cards in recognition of their role in Operation Sindoor.
The recipients included Raphe MPhibr CEO Vivek Mishra, IIO Technologies chief Sunny Sharma, Vector Wings’ Sahil Baluja, and Harshad Dave from Counter Drone Guns.
During Operation Sindoor -- launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack -- several private sector players extended their support to the defence services with equipment, personnel, and specialised assistance.
The operation was launched on May 7 targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan after terrorists killed 26 persons in cold blood in Pahalgam on April 22. As Pakistan retaliated, India effectively neutralised terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and firmly enforced India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
"All strikes were executed without loss of Indian assets, underscoring the effectiveness of our surveillance, planning, and delivery systems. The use of modern indigenous technology, from long-range drones to guided munitions, made these strikes highly effective and politically calibrated," an official statement from the central government read.
Operation Sindoor takes centrestage on Independence Day
A major highlight of this year’s Independence Day was the celebration of Operation Sindoor’s success, with its logo and theme showcased in floral displays at Gyanpath and featured on the event’s invitation cards.
Two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force flew above the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations, showering petals. One Mi-17 helicopter flew with the Tiranga showering flower petals, and the other flew displaying a banner of Operation Sindoor, adding more patriotism and colour to the celebration.
Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the idea of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), with Operation Sindoor being an example of such self-reliance and the power of 'Made in India' being displayed. The Prime Minister also highlighted how a country's independence is questioned if they are not self-reliant.
"If we were not self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor with such swift speed? But, the power of Made in India was in the hands of our army, so without worry, without interruption, without hesitation, our army continued to demonstrate its valour. For the past 10 years, we have been consistently pursuing a mission of self-reliance in the defence sector, and its results are visible today," PM Modi said.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
