Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga

Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga hailed from Mahradasi village, located in the Mandawa tehsil of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan — a region known for its rich legacy of military service and valour. Born into a humble yet patriotic family, he was the son of Smt Nanu Devi. His inspiration to serve the nation stemmed from his late father, who had honourably served in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The values of discipline, courage, and service were deeply ingrained in him from a young age. Determined to carry forward his family's tradition of national service, Sgt Surendra Kumar Moga joined the Indian Air Force in the year 2010. Through his hard work, sincerity, and commitment, he earned a reputation as a dedicated and competent airman.

He specialised as a medical assistant, a role that placed him at the heart of the Air Force’s life-saving support system. In this capacity, he was responsible not just for routine medical assistance, but also for handling emergencies and battlefield trauma — often under intense pressure and in high-risk zones. After serving in the forces for a few years, he got married to Ms. Seema. The couple was later blessed with two children—a daughter named Vartika and a son named Daksh.

Operation Sindoor : 07-10 May 2025

In 2025, Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga, a devoted air warrior of the Indian Air Force, was serving with 39 Wing, located approximately 5 Km East of Udhampur town.  It was originally the 9 FBSU(Field Base Supply Unit) that was raised on 1 April 1976. It was redesignated as 39 Wing on 1 April 1985. As part of this operationally vital wing, Sergeant Moga served in the capacity of a Medical Assistant—a role of immense importance. Medical assistants in the Air Force are not only responsible for delivering healthcare services to air warriors and support staff but also play a frontline role during military deployments, combat emergencies, and natural disasters. They are trained to perform critical medical tasks under pressure, often in harsh terrains or hostile conditions. In early May 2025, as military tensions escalated sharply along the India-Pakistan border—particularly in Jammu and Kashmir—39 Wing at Udhampur emerged as a critical strategic base for the Indian Air Force. As part of the IAF’s broader operational realignment, the wing was tasked with delivering integrated support, including air defence, surveillance, logistics, and emergency medical assistance, to counter the growing threats in the region. 

On 10 May 2025, Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga and his comrades were actively engaged in providing vital operational support to forward-deployed personnel in the RS Pura sector, a vulnerable zone located close to the International Border (IB). The area had come under intense cross-border shelling from Pakistani forces, targeting both military positions and civilian habitations. These developments followed Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike launched by the Indian Armed Forces on 7 May 2025, in retaliation for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure—training camps and launch pads—located deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In response, Pakistani forces initiated unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), further intensifying hostilities in the region. Amid this hostile environment, and despite the constant threat from incoming shell fire, Sergeant Moga carried out his duties with exemplary courage and selflessness, offering steadfast support to his fellow soldiers on the ground.

Tragically, during one such round of intense Pakistani shelling in the RS Pura sector, Sergeant Moga was fatally injured. He succumbed to his injuries in the line of duty — a solemn reminder of the risks borne not only by combatants but also by those who support and sustain military operations in hostile conditions. His supreme sacrifice reflects the very core values of the Indian Air Force — Service Before Self, Courage, and Dedication to Duty. Sergeant Moga laid down his life at the age of 36 years, not in the comfort of a protected facility, but amid conflict, standing shoulder to shoulder with his comrades, committed to saving lives and supporting the mission.

Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga is survived by his mother, Smt Nanu Devi, wife Smt Seema, daughter Ms Vartika and son Daksh.