NEW DELHI — Air Marshal A K Bharti, one of the primary strategists behind India's military response during Operation Sindoor, superannuated on Friday after a distinguished and decorated career in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Retiring from the post of Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS), Air Marshal Bharti visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi to pay tribute to the nation's fallen soldiers. In a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, the air officer honored the supreme sacrifices of the armed forces bravehearts.

"Expressing his sincere affiliation and respect for #Bravehearts, who have laid down their lives in the service of the #Nation, Air Mshl AK Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, DCAS, paid homage at #NationalWarMemorial in a wreath-laying ceremony, on his superannuation," the National War Memorial stated in an official tribute shared on social media.

The Strategic Face of Operation Sindoor

Air Marshal Bharti gained widespread national prominence during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 while serving as the Director General Air Operations (DGAO). Alongside Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai and the Navy’s Vice Admiral A N Pramod, Air Marshal Bharti led crucial tri-service briefings to the press and public, detailing India's coordinated military action.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 last year in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Precision airstrikes carried out by the IAF targeted nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating at least 100 terrorists. Active hostilities concluded on May 10 after bilateral hotline discussions between senior military officials.

Following the success of the mission, Air Marshal Bharti—recipient of the Sarvottam Yuddh Seva Medal (SYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vayu Sena Medal (VM)—was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff in June last year.

The day also marked the superannuation of another senior defense leader, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, who similarly laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to honor India’s fallen heroes