Manish Arora (officer)

Group Captain Manish Arora VrC SC
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Years of service	18 June 2005 – present
Rank	Group Captain
Service number	28462 F(P)
Battles / wars	2025 India–Pakistan conflict
Awards	Vir Chakra Shaurya Chakra

Group Captain Manish Arora, VrC, SC is an officer of the Indian Air Force and a recipient of both the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra, making him a well decorated officer of the air force. ^[1]

Military career

Arora was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2005. ^[2]

On 4 February 2010, as a Flight Lieutenant, Arora executed a recovery of a fighter aircraft after a canopy burst while at high altitude. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he retained control, recovered the aircraft and brought it safely back to base. For this act he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

In 2025, during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Arora served as a mission leader for strike missions. As per the Indian claims, these penetrated contested airspace and reportedly struck high-value targets. For his leadership and gallantry during those missions he was among the IAF personnel awarded the Vir Chakra. ^{[1] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

References

1. "President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards on eve of Independence Day". Press Information Bureau. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
2. "Service Record for Wing Commander Manish Arora 28462 F(P)". Bharat-Rakshak. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
3. "Shaurya Chakra: Flt Lt Manish Arora (28462 F(P)) — citation details". Bharat-Rakshak. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
4. "Story Of Bold, Brave and Badass Flight Lieutenant Manish Arora". 6 June 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
5. "IAF pilots to receive gallantry awards for valor". StratPost. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
6. "15 Vir Chakras awarded for Op Sindoor, 9 go to IAF pilots". ThePrint. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
7. "9 Air Force Officers Awarded Vir Chakra For Bravery During Op Sindoor". NDTV. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
8. "Vir Chakra for nine IAF pilots for daring strikes on Pakistani terror camps". New Indian Express. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
9. "Medal citations detail Op Sindoor intricacies". Hindustan Times. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.