Meet Corporal Varun Kumar: Lost His Arm in Operation Sindoor, Earns Vayu Sena Medal

In the quiet town of Punnapra in Alappuzha, Kerala, a young man named Varun Kumar S grew up with dreams that would take him far from the serene backwaters of his home. Born to Shashidhar and the late Ratnakumari, Varun was the elder of two brothers his sibling Vivek pursuing a career in engineering while Varun chose a path of service to the nation.

At 32 years old, married to Anju from Pilathara in Kannur, and father to their young son Vihaan, Varun's life was a blend of family warmth and professional commitment. Little did he know that his resolve would be tested in one of India's most intense military engagements, transforming him into a symbol of unyielding spirit.

Varun joined the Indian Air Force as an airman in 2013, embarking on a journey that honed his skills as a medical assistant. For the past two and a half years, he had been stationed at the Station Medicare Centre in Udhampur Air Base, Jammu and Kashmir a role that demanded not just medical expertise but also unwavering presence in high-stakes environments.

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor was launched: a series of precision military strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was during this operation that Varun's life changed forever.

On the early morning of May 10, 2025, as the air raid sirens pierced the dawn, a Pakistani missile targeted the forward location at Udhampur. Varun, stationed at a first-aid post, was attending to his duties alongside Sergeant Surendra Kumar Mog from Rajasthan. The strike was devastating Sergeant Mog was killed in action, and Varun sustained grievous injuries. His right arm was shattered beyond repair, necessitating amputation, and shrapnel embedded in his body, some of which remains to this day. The attack was part of a broader retaliation, but for Varun, it marked the beginning of a personal battle against pain and loss.

Rushed to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, Corporal Varun Kumar underwent emergency surgery and spent 35 days in intensive care, followed by three months of recovery. His family, who had been with him until the day before the escalation Anju and Vihaan had been sent back to Kerala for safety faced agonizing uncertainty. Anju recalls the devastation upon hearing the news but praises Varun's swift adjustment: "He adapted to everything so quickly," she shared in interviews. By August 2, 2025, Varun was transferred to the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) in Pune, a historic facility established in 1944 during World War II, renowned for rehabilitating amputees from the armed forces, paramilitary, and civilians.

At ALC, under the guidance of dedicated doctors and staff, Varun's rehabilitation was nothing short of transformative. Previously right-handed, he was trained to perform essential tasks writing, eating, dressing, and more using his left hand. Fitted with a cosmetic prosthetic hand just a week before Independence Day, Varun demonstrated remarkable progress, managing daily activities independently. The centre's approach, which includes specially designed gauntlets and utensil prosthetics, emphasizes early intervention to prevent trauma-induced negativity. Varun's motivation shone through; as one ALC official noted, his willpower allowed him to adapt faster than many, turning potential despair into determination. He has since been sent home to acclimate to his routine environment and is scheduled to return for a bionic hand, which promises even greater functionality, including the possibility of driving.

The pinnacle of Varun's journey came on the eve of India's 79th Independence Day, August 14, 2025, when President Droupadi Murmu announced the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for him. This prestigious award, bestowed for acts of exceptional courage in the Indian Air Force, recognized Varun's bravery during the missile strike and his role in the operation. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh personally visited Varun at ALC last month, interacting with him and other recovering personnel, underscoring the nation's gratitude. "It's a moment of pride, holding his prosthetic hand after months apart," Anju expressed, as she and Vihaan prepared to reunite with him in Udhampur. 

He received the Vayu Sena Medal during the recent Air Force Day celebrations, where his extraordinary courage and dedication were once again honoured before his peers and seniors.

Varun's story extends beyond personal triumph; it reflects the broader resilience of India's armed forces. At ALC, he shared his recovery space with other Operation Sindoor bravehearts a Subedar who lost both hands and has progressed from total dependence to independently feeding himself, writing, and grooming within a month; and a Sergeant who, after losing a leg, now walks with a knee disarticulation prosthesis. These narratives highlight the centre's comprehensive rehabilitation, focusing on restoring not just physical abilities but also confidence and morale. Varun's adaptation serves as an inspiration, proving that even in the face of profound loss, one can rebuild and contribute.

In a world where conflicts test the limits of human endurance, Corporal Varun Kumar S stands as a beacon of hope. His journey from the battlefield to rehabilitation embodies the essence of sacrifice and perseverance. As he prepares to resume duties, Varun's message is clear: adversity may alter the path, but it cannot extinguish the spirit. His award is not just a medal but a testament to the indomitable will that defines India's defenders.