During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Sanjay Kumar Choudhury served in the Eastern Sector. On the night of the 7th/8th December 1971, a special heliborne operation was undertaken for landing a battalion at Sylhet, which was at that time under enemy occupation. Squadron Leader Choudhury volunteered and landed with a first wave of troops to personally hold up and supervise the lighting of flares. During the process the helicopter landing area came under heavy enemy gunfire. Regardless of his safety, he with the help of one jawan made effort to light up the landing zone. Shortly thereafter, the jawan was killed by enemy fire. Undeterred Squadron Leader Choudhury single-handed lit the flares and kept them lit the whole night. This enabled the heli-borne operation to continue the whole night and its successful completion. Throughout, Squadron Leader Sanjay Kumar Choudhury displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order. |