Major General Sandeep S. Sharda, the Additional Director General of Strategic Communication, has been honored with the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) for his exceptional leadership during Operation Sindoor, a pivotal military campaign that integrated precision strikes with advanced information warfare techniques.
The Yudh Seva Medal, India’s third-highest wartime distinguished service decoration, is awarded for exemplary service in operational contexts during wars, conflicts, or hostilities. General Sharda’s recognition reflects the growing significance of narrative control in contemporary warfare.
Having been commissioned into the Dogra Regiment, Maj Gen Sharda’s illustrious career spans decades within the Indian Army, during which he has achieved notable accolades including the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020 and the Sena Medal (Distinguished) in 2022. He has held prominent positions, such as Dean of Faculty of Study and Leadership at the Army War College and as the Commander of the Pathankot Sub-Area during the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations, which marked the victory of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. His diverse experience across various operational and strategic roles uniquely positioned him to spearhead the Army’s information warfare initiatives.
Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7, 2025, as a swift and decisive counteraction to the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the tragic loss of 26 civilian lives. The operation consisted of coordinated tri-service precision strikes against nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, accompanied by an extensive information warfare strategy.
Under Maj Gen Sharda’s direction, his team was able to disseminate verified updates faster than misinformation could circulate, neutralizing enemy propaganda in real time and coordinating multi-platform messaging for broad outreach and credibility. A significant moment in the operation’s campaign was the unveiling of the Operation Sindoor logo, crafted by Lt Col Harsh Gupta and Havildar Surinder Singh, featuring a vermilion bowl symbolizing sacrifice and commitment. This logo was posted early on May 7 with the tagline “Justice is served. Jai Hind!”, becoming a defining emblem of the operation.
The Yudh Seva Medal, awarded primarily in wartime contexts, is notably rare for roles focused on information warfare, emphasizing the contemporary necessity for success in military endeavors to encompass both battlefield results and strategic perception management. The scale of Operation Sindoor was unprecedented, resulting in commendations for seven officers with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal and nine Indian Air Force pilots being awarded the Vir Chakra. The operation substantially dismantled the terror infrastructure of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
As the ADG of Strategic Communication, Maj Gen Sharda also holds the pivotal role of monitoring and countering hostile online content, a position established in response to the growing weaponization of social media platforms. His efforts are aligned with the 2018 Land Warfare Doctrine vision, which emphasizes the evolution of full-spectrum information warfare capabilities, and the Indian Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations (2025), which focuses on threat-informed strategies and real-time intelligence integration.
During a post-operation briefing with key architects of Operation Sindoor, including Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal AK Bharti, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Maj Gen Sharda showcased his characteristic military humor while demonstrating composure and confidence under scrutiny.
The Yudh Seva Medal conferred upon General Sharda transcends personal recognition; it underscores an institutional acknowledgment that technological prowess in narrative can be as crucial as physical firepower. His leadership during Operation Sindoor has established a new paradigm for military strategic communication, proven the operational efficacy of integrated information warfare, and influenced the military strategies of adversaries, as evidenced by Pakistan’s establishment of an Army Rocket Force.
In an era where hybrid warfare prevails, General Sharda’s accomplishments reinforce the essential notion that in modern conflicts, controlling the narrative is tantamount to securing victory.
