On 1st September 1965, Flight Lieutenant Shrikrishna Vishnu Phatak was a Wingman in a four aircraft formation. As the formation was entering the enemy area in the Chhamb sector, he saw several enemy aircraft. He reported their position and stuck to his own formation to guard his leader's rear. The formation was ordered to take evasive action and to turn hard starboard. In the process, his aircraft was fired upon by the enemy and was partially out of control; yet he stayed in his aircraft and continued to try to control it till he saw that it was in flames and the fire was spreading fast. Even then he did not lose his nerve, and tried to gain height from a very low altitude. Having failed to do so, he was forced to abandon the burning aircraft. Soon after landing he saw some troops around him and since he was not sure of his location he evaded them till he was overpowered by a posse of armed personnel and bayonetted. The bayonet narrowly missed going through his lungs.

Throughout this encounter, Flight Lieutenant Shrikrishna Vishnu Phatak displayed presence of mind, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.