During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Vishnu Narain Johri was commanding a FighterBomber Squadron. He was leading a tactical reconnaissance mission on the 5th December, 1971, when he spotted a train at Bhawal Nagar, carrying tanks. He immediately went into attack and while attacking the train the port wing of his aircraft was damaged by anti aircraft fire. Undeterred and unmindful of his personal safety he pressed home his attack and destroyed a large number of tanks. After pulling out of the attack he found the port wing of his aircraft on fire. With great presence of mind and skillful flying, he brought the crippled aircraft back to base safely. He also flew several other missions successfully.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Vishnu Narain Johri displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi was serving with a Fighter Squadron. He flew nineteen missions deep into enemy territory. On the 9th December, 1971, while on a visual tactical reconnaissance mission in the Western Sector, he flew for nearly twelve minutes over the area despite heavy ground fire and brought back information. He also flew a number of operational missions to Railway yards. Though these areas were heavily defended, he pressed home his attacks undeterred and set ablaze a number of trains carrying fuel and also goods wagons. During these missions, his weapon delivery had always been accurate and effective and because of his tactics all our aircraft returned safe to base from their missions.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operation against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Partha Das Gupta was serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. He flew 19 operational missions out of which twelve were flown deep into enemy territory. On the 5th December 1971, while flying as Number Two on a dawn tactical reconnaissance and strike mission in Chistian Mandi - Bahawal Nagar area he spotted a train carrying tanks near Chistian Mandi. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire he attacked the train twice and destroyed three tanks. Again while flying as Number Two in a strike mission to Multan he destroyed a huge oil dump at Multan and returned to base with a marginal endurance of three minutes. He carried out all his missions to the ultimate limits of endurance.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Partha Das Gupta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

249326 Corporal (Acting Sergeant Unpaid) SANKAR NATH KUNDU Electrician 1

249326 Corporal Sankar Nath Kundu was on the posted strength of a Fighter Bomber Squadron which operated from a forward airfield during the December, 1971 operations.

On 5th December, 1971 an aircraft which had been hit by anti aircraft fire landed back with the port wing on fire. Unmindful of his personal safety and while the fire fighting was in progress, he climbed the burning aircraft and removed the battery as it was scarce item.

On 14th December, 1971 when one of the aircraft had a total electrical failure, he found that one complete cable requiring changing as it had burnt. Though it was a complicated job, he, with his ingenuity, skill and hard work rectified the snag over-night and all alone. He always ensured that the ground batteries and aircraft batteries were always kept in serviceable condition.

Corporal (Acting Sergeant Unpaid) Sankar Nath Kundu displayed determination, technical skill and devotion to duty of a very high order in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.