Operation Sindoor: Who are the Indian Army officers behind the logo?

The poignant logo of India’s “Operation Sindoor,” created to symbolise the grief of women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam terror attack, was designed by two Indian Army officers. The emblem, now firmly etched in the national consciousness, features a small bowl of vermilion—the traditional red powder worn by married Hindu women—forming the first “O” in the operation’s name, while the second “O” is surrounded by a delicate dash of the same powder.

According to the latest edition of the Indian Army’s magazine Baatcheet, which is dedicated to chronicling the nation’s military endeavours, the logo was crafted by Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Gupta and Havildar Surinder Singh.

The publication also shared photographs of the two officers alongside the now-famous emblem, highlighting their contribution to this decisive military action.

The opening pages of Baatcheet prominently display the “Operation Sindoor” logo, crowned by the Indian Army’s emblem. The magazine recounts the tragic events of 22 April 2025, when five terrorists brutally murdered 26 innocent civilians in the name of religion in the tranquil meadows of Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam. Tourists had gathered there to celebrate life, only to be caught in an act of unspeakable violence.

“This incident fortified the resolve of our country to fight terror with punitive action,” reads the caption titled ‘Pahalgam’. The issue also features powerful images showing the aftermath of the attack, including rows of coffins and the emotional farewell at the funeral of one victim.

On page 11, a photograph captures Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi studying a screen grid, with a timestamp marking the momentous date and time: 7 May 2025, 01:05 hrs.

Who gave the moniker Operation Sindoor?

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed that the name “Operation Sindoor” was suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Operation Sindoor was named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What you all accomplished during this operation has made every Indian proud. It took just 23 minutes for the Indian Air Force to dismantle the terrorism being harboured in Pakistan. You eliminated the enemies in the time it takes people to finish their breakfast,” Singh said during an interaction with soldiers at the Air Force Station in Bhuj, Gujarat.