Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of India's Greatest Military Victory

65 War hero Denzil Keelor injured
Ejects out of MiG-21 in No Mans Land - Rescued by Indian Army troops

Dec 09, Chamb: The pilot who was shot down yesterday, when Flt Lt A J Singh flew back his damaged MiG back was none other than Sqn Ldr Denzil Joseph Keelor, VrC, a war hero of 1965. He has been injured when he ejected from his MiG-21 yesterday in the Chamb area.

Keelor who was with a detachment of No.45 Squadron in Pathankot was on a mission to provide ground support to Indian Positions when a call came from a forward air controller to attack some enemy armour. Immediately both him and his wingman Flt Lt Apramjeet Singh engaged the enemy targets with rockets and cannon fire.

The anti aircraft fire has been very intense and Keelor's aircraft had been hit badly. When the aircraft got out of control, Sqn Ldr Keelor ejected out of the aircraft, but the force of the ejection had crushed his vertebrae and he fell in No Mans land near the front lines.

As his spine was injured, Sqn Ldr Keelor was not able to move his legs or get up. He was lying for sometime in the marshy

area and did not know if the enemy or the Indian troops will get to him first.

Squadron Leader Keelor earned fame as a pilot who shot down a Pakistani Sabre whilst flying a Folland Gnat fighter during the 1965 War. His aircombat was one of the most dramatic fights in which the aircraft were skimming tree tops as he and his wingman, Flt lt Vinay Kapila shot down a Sabre each. For this magnificient feat, he was awarded the Vir Chakra medal in 1965.

On receipt of information of the pilot ejecting, The forward Indian Army unit, a Kumaon battallion sent a patrol to find and locate the downed pilot. 2Lt Bopanna's patrol found him and soon evacuated him to a medical station.

A Helicopter arrived soon after and he was flown to the comand hospital where he is recuperating from his spinal injuries. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P C Lal, has visited Squadron Leader Keelor at the hospital when he was visiting the war wounded undergoing treatment there.

Copyright © 1971  Bharat-Rakshak.com.  All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Bharat-Rakshak.com is prohibited.