Flight lieutenant Priyanka Khandekar gets AOC-in-C commendation for role during Op Sindoor

Nagpur: In a proud moment for the city and the Indian Air Force (IAF), Flight Lieutenant Priyanka Khandekar, daughter of former Nagpur Assistant Commissioner of Police Santosh Khandekar, received the prestigious Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) Commendation Award on Republic Day, January 26, 2026.This honour celebrated her exemplary contribution during Operation Sindoor, the decisive 2025 military operation launched to counter cross-border terrorism after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack.
Hailing from Nagpur, Priyanka is a graduate in Electronics Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur.Priyanka serves in a vital operational capacity at Pathankot, close to the Pakistan border. Her professionalism and unwavering dedication during Operation Sindoor were instrumental in the IAF's achievements, including securing air superiority, conducting precision strikes, and showcasing superior aerial capabilities against enemy targets.The award was highlighted during the 77th Republic Day celebrations, featuring the impressive ‘Sindoor Formation' flypast over Kartavya Path in New Delhi.This spearhead formation included frontline aircraft like Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and Jaguar, honouring the operation's heroes and reaffirming India's commitment to national sovereignty.Priyanka's father, Santosh Khandekar — now sub-divisional police officer in Morshi, Amravati Rural — expressed profound emotion. "This is my last Republic Day in uniform before retirement, and on the same day, destiny honoured my daughter. From a proud father in uniform to an even prouder father watching his daughter stand tall in national service, this moment will remain etched in my heart forever," said Khandekar, who was behind several detections of heinous crime for Nagpur city police.Conducted in May 2025, Operation Sindoor demonstrated the IAF's precision, coordination, and dominance, as confirmed by independent analyses from Swiss defence think tanks. The operation involved long-range strikes, showcasing India's escalation control and military preparedness.Flight Lieutenant Priyanka's achievement serves as an inspiration for young Indians, particularly women, aspiring to join the armed forces. Her transition from an engineering graduate to a decorated IAF officer embodies courage, dedication, and patriotism.