Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, a fighter pilot from India’s northeastern state of Manipur, has emerged as a symbol of courage and precision in modern aerial warfare. On August 15, 2025, India’s Independence Day, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, the nation’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal, for his pivotal role in Operation Sindoor. This operation marked a bold escalation in India’s response to cross-border terrorism, where Malik piloted a Su-30MKI fighter jet to deliver devastating strikes deep inside Pakistan. His actions not only neutralized key terror infrastructure but also exemplified the Indian Air Force’s evolving doctrine of calibrated deterrence.
Born into a modest family in Keikhu village, Imphal East district of Manipur, Rizwan Malik is the son of Alhaj Hafizuddin and Alhajan Waheeda Rehman. He belongs to the Meitei Pangal community (Muslim Meiteis), a group known for its deep integration into Manipuri society. While specific details about his early education remain limited, his journey reflects the aspirations of many from India’s remote regions who seek to serve the nation through the armed forces. Malik joined the Indian Air Force as a commissioned officer on June 20, 2015, as part of the 195th Course in the Flying (Pilot) branch. His service number is 34563 F(P). He rose through the ranks, becoming a Flight Lieutenant in 2017 and a Squadron Leader in 2021. Assigned to No. 102 Squadron, the “Tridents,” Malik operates the Su-30MKI multirole fighter, the backbone of the IAF’s strike force. Known for deep penetration missions and air superiority roles, his squadron has a formidable reputation. Though the IAF restricts disclosure of full operational histories of serving officers, his selection for Operation Sindoor highlights his proficiency and reliability as a combat aviator.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was India’s decisive response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. With Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba identified as perpetrators, India integrated air power, missiles, and advanced defence systems to deliver a powerful message. The IAF targeted camps and command centres in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including LeT’s Muridke base and JeM’s Bahawalpur headquarters, resulting in heavy terrorist casualties. The operation showcased India’s S-400 systems, which downed Pakistani aircraft at record ranges of 300 km. Pakistani retaliation, including UCAV strikes, was repelled with minimal damage, while India’s offensive destroyed infrastructure such as the Bholari airbase. Analysts note that Sindoor established a “new normal” in counterterrorism, marked by restraint combined with unprecedented reach and precision.
In this high-stakes mission, Squadron Leader Malik demonstrated exemplary courage and skill. Piloting his Su-30MKI from No. 102 Squadron, he flew in contested airspace and struck high-value targets with pinpoint accuracy. Reports suggest he employed air-launched BrahMos missiles against Pakistan’s Bholari airbase, destroying a SAAB Erieye airborne surveillance aircraft and eliminating a dozen Pakistani personnel. His role in neutralizing the Bahawalpur and Muridke terror hubs was crucial to the operation’s success. For this, he was among nine IAF personnel decorated with the Vir Chakra, alongside Group Captains Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, and Kunal Kalra; Wing Commander Joy Chandra; Squadron Leaders Sarthak Kumar and Siddhant Singh; and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur. This represented a record number of Vir Chakras awarded in a single operation, underscoring the scale and impact of Sindoor.
The recognition of Malik’s bravery has stirred immense pride in Manipur, where Chief Minister N. Biren Singh hailed him as a “hero of the skies” and a symbol of the state’s contribution to national security. Citizens of the Northeast, often underrepresented in the armed forces at senior levels, view his achievement as an inspiring milestone. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes, patriotic slogans, and calls for continued strength against terrorism. Nationally, the operation has reignited discussions on strengthening India’s arsenal with advanced missile defence systems and further reinforcing the IAF’s strike capabilities.
Today, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik remains on active duty, embodying the IAF motto “Touch the Sky with Glory.” His story is not just about an officer’s gallantry but about India’s evolving defence posture, its commitment to safeguarding its citizens, and its resolve to strike decisively against terrorism. For the people of Manipur, and indeed all of India, Malik’s Vir Chakra is a moment of collective pride, a reminder that heroes often rise from the most unexpected corners of the nation.
