Op Sindoor pilot Rizwan Malik makes Manipur proud
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 10 2026: Indian Air Force's Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik was among the four Manipur bravehearts who received the gallantry awards from President Droupadi Murmu on June 8 .

Recognising his exceptional bravery in penetrating deep into enemy's territory in a Su-30MKI fighter jet during Operation Sindoor, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, the country's third highest wartime gallantry award.

The three others who were awarded gallantry medals include Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of 11 Para (Special Forces), Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei of 3 Assam Rifles, and Late Deepak Chingakham, a Constable of the Border Security Force.

Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik hails from Keikhu village, Imphal East district, and is the son of a retired horticulture officer, Alhaj Hafizuddin.

Malik joined the IAF in 2015 .

He rose through the ranks and became a Squadron Leader in 2021, but what defined him was his Operation Sindoor sortie in May 2025 .

Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror infrastructures linked to JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba, deep inside Pakistan, and Malik was tasked with destroying these targets.

According to official citation by the Government of India, Malik flew as Deputy Mission Leader in an unescorted strike package during a midnight sortie.

The targets inside Pakistan were heavily fortified, shielded by advanced air defence systems and constant radar surveillance, backed by the Pakistan Army.

He flew the fighter jet low in darkness, navigated hostile airspace, evading detection and aligning for weapon release.

He fired his first weapon, destroying the designated target in Pakistan.

Instead of withdrawing after the first strike, he pressed on for a second strike, operating within a high-risk engagement zone and successfully neutralising another target.

Malik was among nine IAF officers who were conferred Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor on June 8 .

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