Squadron Leader Sumangla Sharma, a serving pilot in the Indian Air Force from Himachal Pradesh, has earned a historic distinction by becoming one of the first women officers in Indian military history to receive a gallantry commendation for her role in Operation Sindoor.
An alumnus of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Shimla, Sqn Ldr Sharma was officially “Mentioned in Dispatches”, a recognition that was announced in the list of Independence Day honours.
A trained pilot specialising in weapon control systems, Sharma was serving as the Operations Officer during a tense air defence engagement on the night of May 8, 2025, when a hostile Pakistani UAV intruded into Indian airspace.
Displaying remarkable composure, she led her combat team and ordered the launch of the Pechora surface-to-air missile, which successfully destroyed the intruding UAV.
Her calm leadership under extreme pressure not only neutralised the threat but also saved countless innocent lives, earning her widespread praise across the defence fraternity.
