Number Name Branch Died in Service? Picture?
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Flight Lieutenant Pradip Vinayak Apte

Service No & Branch 10456 F(P) (Orig: GD(P))
Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1945 Commissioned: 29 Oct 1966 Course: 96 Course
Service End: Died in Service 04 Dec 1971 (26 Years age) Aircraft Accident Nick Name :
Qualifications Held :
Remarks :
Promotions Gazetted
Fg Offr : 29 Oct 1967
Training and Other Courses Attended
27 NDA (Cadet) - 07 Dec 1964
Badges Qualified
 
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Notes:1)Branch is at retirement and may not match with branch at Commission 2)Notional seniority is reflected in dates of substantive rank.

Awards and Decorations


Number of Awards: 1
 
Vir Chakra
Flt LtPradip Vinayak Apte10456 F(P)Award Date 04 Dec 1971Announced 26 Jan 1972
Details :

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Vinayak Apte was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron. On 4th December 1971, he was detailed as Number Two on a tactical reconnaissance mission in Naya ChorUmarkot-Dhornaro area. Near Chor he observed enemy vehicle convoys moving towards Dhornaro Railway Station. He immediately went in for a front gun attack and scored direct hits on the vehicles. This mission then flew directly over Dhornaro Railway Station and once again he spotted a goods train being unloaded. He attacked the train despite concentrated ground fire and caused considerable damage. He pressed on with his third attack, but while pulling up his aircraft was hit and damaged by ground fire. He brought the damaged aircraft under control and headed for base, which was about 100 miles. Under compelling circumstances, he abandoned the aircraft. In this operation, he made the supreme sacrifice.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Vinayak Apte displayed gallantry and determination of a high order.

Unit : 220 Sqn
Reference : Gazette of India , 17th June 1972 - No.79 - Pres/72 dated 1st June 1972

Accidents and Incidents: 1

DateAircraft TypeTail NoPilot/CrewUnitRemarks
04 Dec 1971HF-24 MarutD-1193Flt Lt Pradip Vinayak Apte +
220 SqnAAA Dharnaro RS Naya
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/10456
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.