During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Satish Chandra Sharma was attached to a Brigade in the Eastern Sector for duties as a Forward Air Controller in the Air Contact Team of the Brigade. On the 7th December, 1971, Flying Officer Sharma was detailed to accompany a Company which was airlifted by helicopter to a site behind the enemy occupied area at Sylhet. He landed at the helipad at 1700 hours with a small party and signal sets, under heavy enemy fire. He immediately took control fo the situation and brought his men safely to vantage point from where he directed the incoming helicopters sorties to strike enemy postions at the branch on river Surma and enemy Headquarters at Circuit House. This strike was so effective that the enemy did not fire for quite sometime. The enemy resumed its fire pressure at the subsequent landings on the morning of 8th December 1971. Flying Officer Sharma again went to a vantage point under heavy enemy shelling and successfully directed our bombers on the enemy positions and targets. These strikes were so accurate that the enemy firing ceased immediately. On the night of 8th/9th December, 1971, the enemy occupied positions around two of our forward block companies and engaged then with heavy MMG and mortar fire. Flying Officer Sharma again went to a vantage point and effectively directed our air strike. Undeterred by the enemy fire all around him, he led his escort party towards the forward company location. Enroute, he encountered a small enemy patrol, who fired at his party from a nearby grove. Though unfamiliar with infantry tactics, Flying Officer Sharma ordered his small party to attack the enemy, and personally led the charge on the enemy patrol. This spontaneous and swift action resulted in the death of two enemy personnel. Flying Officer Sharma and his party moved forward with confidence and reached a suitable vantage point close to the forward block company. From that position, he directed air attacks on the enemy occupied area. The air strikes were so accurate and effective that they disorganized enemy’s preparation for a possible attack on the forward block company.

Throughout, Flying Officer Satish Chandra Sharma displayed gallantry, leadership and professional skill of a high order.