During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron in the Eastern Sector. He flew 11 missions during the conflict. On his first counter air mission over Dacca Air Field he was shot at by enemy Ack Ack. Regardless of personal safety and in the face of heavy ground fire he continued with his attacks; which resulted in the silencing of the guns on the airfield as also the loss of a Sabre aircraft on the ground. In one of his subsequent missions, he was responsible for spending considerable time over the enemy area in locating a well-camouflaged P.O.L dump and in destroying it.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.