Sixteen personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been awarded gallantry medals for showing "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" during Operation Sindoor.

The recipients include Deputy Commandant Ravindra Rathore, Assistant Commandants Abhishek Srivastav and Alok Negi, Inspector Udai Vir Singh, Inspector Devi Lal, Sub Inspector Vyas Dev, Assistant Sub Inspector Rajappa B T, Head Constables Brij Mohan Singh and Sahib Singh, and Constables Suddi Rabha, Bhupendra Bajpai, Rajan Kumar, Basavaraja Shivappa Sunkada, Depeswar Barman, Kanwaraj Singh, and Manohar Xalxo.

The Gallantry Medal is conferred for a rare and conspicuous act of courage or for a notable act of bravery in saving life and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals, with the risk involved assessed in light of the officer’s duties and obligations.

"This Independence Day, 16 Brave Seema Praharis (border guards) are being awarded Gallantry Medals for their conspicuous bravery & unmatched valour, for being resolute & steadfast during the Ops Sindoor.

This Independence Day, 16 Brave Seema Praharis are being awarded Gallantry Medals for their conspicuous bravery & unmatched valour, for being resolute & steadfast during the Ops Sindoor."

"The medals are a testament to the Nation's faith & trust reposed in India's First Line of Defence: The Border Security Force," the BSF said in a social media post.

The awardees included a deputy commandant, two assistant commandants, and an inspector.

Operation Sindoor took place from May 7 to 10 when India targeted terrorist and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.