Purnea’s Jhunni Kalan Beams with Pride as Son of the Soil Helps Lead Indian Air Force’s Daring Counter-Terror Strikes
Purnea (Bihar), May 14 — The quiet village of Jhunni Kalan in Bihar’s Purnea district has been swept up in a wave of patriotic pride following the heroic role of Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), in the Indian Armed Forces' recent precision strikes across the border under Operation Sindoor.Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was a strategic counter-terror campaign targeting infrastructure used by terror outfits in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was carried out in response to the devastating April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Air Marshal Bharti, a decorated officer of the Indian Air Force, played a key role in planning and executing the high-stakes operation that has been hailed as one of the most daring actions undertaken by the IAF in recent years.
Family and Village Celebrate With Pride
The villagers of Jhunni Kalan are rejoicing in what they describe as a proud moment not just for their village, but for the entire nation.“It’s a matter of great pride for me, for the villagers and for the entire country that our armed forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistani forces and terrorists,” said Jeevachhlal Yadav, Bharti’s father and a retired state irrigation department employee. “Our forces displayed great courage during Operation Sindoor, and my son played a crucial role. The villagers are elated — our chests are swelling with pride.”
During a recent phone conversation, Yadav also shared that his son had not disclosed any details about the operation. “I came to know about his role from neighbours and villagers. People have been calling and visiting to congratulate us,” he said.
Bharti’s mother, Urmila Devi, added quietly, “I have nothing much to say about my son. The entire country knows what he has done for the nation. It was his dream to join the armed forces. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”
His younger brother, Mithilesh Kumar, who works in a pharmaceutical firm, echoed the sentiments. “Bhaiya has done a great job for the country. The whole village is celebrating in its special way — he is the son of the soil.”
A Career of Dedication and Discipline
Air Marshal Bharti’s journey began in the classrooms of a government school in Purnea. He later joined the prestigious Tilaiya Sainik School in Jharkhand, followed by the National Defence Academy in Pune. Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in 1987, Bharti has had a distinguished career. He was awarded the President's Air Force Medal in 2008 and rose to the rank of Air Marshal in 2023.‘Operation Sindoor’: A Strategic Blow to Terror Camps
According to defence sources, Operation Sindoor commenced on the night of May 7 with coordinated strikes on nine terror-linked sites — both in PoK and inside Pakistan. The operation reportedly led to the destruction of multiple training facilities used by known terror organisations.As the country hails the operation's success, the villagers of Jhunni Kalan are honouring one of their own—a man who once walked their dusty roads and has now helped script a defining chapter in India’s counter-terror strategy.