Number Name Branch Died in Service? Picture?
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Flight Lieutenant Karan Sher Singh Kalsia

Service No & Branch 4474 GD(P)
Date of Birth: 02 Nov 1932 Commissioned: 01 Apr 1953 Course: 60 Course
Service End: Died in Service 19 Jan 1961 (29 Years age) Aircraft Accident Nick Name :
Qualifications Held :
Remarks :
Promotions Gazetted
Fg Offr : 01 Apr 1954Flt Lt : 01 Apr 1958
Training and Other Courses Attended
3 JSW (Cadet) - 01 Dec 1951
Badges Qualified
 
Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "K S S Kalsia"
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
 
Kirti Chakra
Flt LtKaran Sher Singh Kalsia4474 GD(P)Award Date 19 Jan 1961Announced 10 Sep 1962
Details :

On 19th January, 1961, while on a training flight, Flight Lieutenant Kalsia found that the engine of his aircraft had flamed out. The aircraft was heading towards Jamnagar city and had he bailed out and abandoned the aircraft, it would have crashed in the city, causing extensive damage to life and property. Realising this, Flight Lieutenant Kalsia turned his aircraft away from the populated area and in doing so lost valuable height. He then attempted a force landing as he was left with no other option and was killed in the attempt.

Flight Lieutenant Kalsia displayed courage of a very high order and gave his own life to avoid an accident which might have resulted in the loss of several other lives. His gallant action was in the highest traditions of the Air Force.

Unit : 7 Sqn
Reference : Gazette of India , 22nd September 1962 - No.55 - Pres/62 dated 10th September 1962

Accidents and Incidents: 2

DateAircraft TypeTail NoPilot/CrewUnitRemarks
20 Jul 1954Vampire FB52Fg Offr Karan Sher Singh Kalsia
7 SqnEngine Failure 18000
19 Jan 1961Hunter F56BA-327Flt Lt Karan Sher Singh Kalsia +
7 Sqnflame out on t/o. Tr
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/4474
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.