It was a terrifying and gloomy night. All that mattered, though, was that his Sukhoi fighter was prepared for the mission. Lethal air defences below, drone swarms everywhere in the sky. Even the most sophisticated jets would almost certainly die as a result of each one. However, Indian Air Force (IAF) Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik continued unaccompanied. He flew his jet right into the heart of danger, threading a deadly web of threats to deliver a devastating, pinpoint missile barrage on Pakistani terror camps.
Seldom are war heroes revealed in real time. Their tales frequently emerge in bits and pieces. Some are only mentioned in gallantry citations. One such tale is that of Squadron Leader Malik.On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, it is fitting that we retell the tale.
Sqn Ldr. Malik's Sukhoi Su-30MKI persevered through radar locks and incoming fire during a midnight sortie against Pakistan's well guarded targets a year ago. This action would come to characterise the mission and the Manipur fighter pilot.
The terrible Pahalgam incident, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, occurred a few weeks ago. On May 7, Operation Sindoor was initiated to target terror camps in Pakistan.
Targeting terror infrastructure associated with organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), the operation included precision strikes by the IAF and other military assets.

Among the heroes who carried out the retaliation was Malik. On Independence Day in 2025, he received the Vir Chakra.
This is an account of the hero's trip from northeastern India and how he became one of Operation Sindoor's heroes.
MALIK'S TRIP TO SUKHOI COCKPIT FROM MANIPUR
Malik started his adventure in the Imphal East area of Manipur's Keikhu village. He came from a Meitei Pangal household. He is the son of Alhaj Hafizuddin, a former horticultural officer.
Public records don't provide much information about Malik's early schooling, but it's been said that he was a disciplined and highly ambitious youngster. These qualities prompted him to enlist in the IAF in 2015, which was more than ten years ago.

He was part of the 195th Flying Course.
In 2021, he advanced through the ranks to become a Squadron Leader.
Even among fighter pilots, however, Sqn Ldr Rizwan Malik stood out.
He was an expert in air superiority operations and deep-strike missions. He prepared for situations that required accuracy, quickness, and poise under duress, and Operation Sindoor was where he demonstrated his abilities.
RIZWAN MALIK'S OP SINDOOR SORTIE
Nine terror infrastructures connected to JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba, located deep within Pakistan and dispersed along the western front, were the focus of Operation Sindoor. The Pakistani military, which has long been working closely with and providing refuge to these groups, vigorously guarded these locations.Although the specifics of the mission are still under wraps, Malik was entrusted with destroying these targets.
Rizwan Malik flew as deputy mission leader in an unescorted strike package during a midnight sortie, according to the Government of India's official citation. The Pakistan Army supported the heavily fortified targets inside Pakistan, which were protected by sophisticated air defence systems and continuous radar surveillance.
Malik was always in danger and had a limited window of opportunity to deliver the attacks.
He manoeuvred across hostile airspace, flew the fighter jet low in the dark, avoided detection, and aligned for weapon release. He fired his first weapon, destroying the target in Pakistan, despite many aircraft and ground threats locking onto him.

Even in the face of an impending threat from the other side, he did not retreat.
Rather, he continued for a second attack, successfully neutralising another target while operating in a high-risk engagement zone. Throughout the operation, he successfully completed several missions while continuously delivering pinpoint hits in spite of electronic countermeasures and persistent threats.
His efforts were characterised by "exemplary bravery, decisive leadership, and unwavering dedication," according to the citation, which also notes that his bold manoeuvres caused "tactical chaos" for opponents.
Malik was one of nine Indian Air Force officers who received the Vir Chakra, one of the country's greatest honours for valour in combat.There were celebrations in Malik's home state when word spread about how valiantly he had fought, with local communities and state officials recognising his accomplishments.
A year after Operation Sindoor, the nation is inspired by the story of Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, who not only hit his targets but also flew into danger and returned, altering the mission's trajectory.