u/the-economist-flyboy

She was part of the strike formation but not the strike aircraft. Typically, a strike formation consists of a Formation Leader (Rafale), 1x EW Aircraft (Rafale), 1x BDA Aircraft (Jaguar), 2x Close-in Dogfighters (MiG-29 UPGs), 2x Escorts (Su-30MKIs) and 1 Strike Aircraft (Su-30MKI/Rafale/Mirage-2000). In this formation of 8 Aircraft, only 1 Aircraft would carry a Precision Strike ALBM/ALCM (BrahMos-A/SCALP-EG/Rampage/Popeye).

The Pilots who were flying the Strike Aircrafts were awarded Vir Chakra (Gallantry).

Article Link: The Print

Source: French Air & Space Force

Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik hails from Keikhu village in the Imphal East district of Manipur and belongs to the Meitei Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) community. An Ex-NDA belonging to 126/Alpha Sqn, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2015. As an elite Su-30MKI pilot of the No. 102 Squadron "Trisonics", his core expertise involved flying low-level, terrain-hugging profiles in the Northeast and mastering aerial combat maneuvers.

During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Indian Air Force required its absolute best operators to neutralize heavily fortified terror targets deep inside Pakistan. S/L Malik was assigned as the deputy mission leader of an unescorted, midnight strike package. By pairing his terrain-masking piloting skills with a Weapon Systems Officer specialized in standoff strikes, the IAF created a perfectly lethal cockpit combination.

Instead of carrying a single heavy BrahMos-A ALCM, his Su-30MKI was armed with multiple Rampage standoff weapons, allowing for a dynamic, multi-target engagement.

Threat Environment: The adversary airspace featured seamless radar coverage and round-the-clock fighter patrols equipped with state-of-the-art Beyond Visual Range missiles, specifically the PL-15.

Ingress Strategy: He flew a tactical formation at an extremely low level at night to mask his approach and avoid early radar detection.

First Strike: S/L Malik fired his first Rampage Missile while actively under lethal range from multiple aerial and ground radar locks, prioritizing the mission objective over personal safety.

PL-15 Evasion: To survive incoming PL-15 missile locks and aggressive electronic countermeasures, he executed audacious and aggressive kinetic maneuvers to plunge the adversary into tactical chaos.

Second Strike: Despite the extreme risks, he successfully re-entered the high-risk engagement zone to launch his second Rampage Missile, successfully annihilating a second pre-designated target.

His precision strikes contributed directly to the destruction of critical adversary infrastructure, which likely included the multiple hits recorded at Nur Khan Airbase. He completed the mission without any loss to men or machine. For his exceptional gallantry, dynamic decision-making, and absolute disregard for his own safety under overwhelming hostile fire, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik was awarded the Vir Chakra on August 15, 2025.

Source: SSBCrack

Source: https://www.insidesport.in/cricket/shubman-gill-delivers-on-promise-amends-headingley-regret-with-maiden-test-double-ton-at-edgbaston/