During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Donald Melvyn Conquest was commanding the Operational Training Unit. On the 4th December, 1971, he led a formation which attacked and set fire to Karachi Port bulk oil installation. On the 5th December, 1971, he carried out a daring attack on Mauripur airfield and destroyed at least six enemy aircraft on ground and caused extensive damage to others. Again on the 6th December, 1971, he attacked and destroyed the Warehouses at Drigh Road airfield. In addition he carried out a number of close air support and interdiction missions. He was instrumental in neuteralising heavy enemy armoured thrust in the Longewala section and in setting on fire numerous goods trains. On one occasion he was wounded by enemy fire and war profusely bleeding. Despite excruciating pain and loss of blood he successfully brought his formation back to base.

Throughout, Wing Commander Donald Melvyn Conquest displayed gallantry, leadership and professional skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Farokh Jehangir Mehta as a senior pilot in one of the Fighter-Bomber Squadron, flew twentytwo operational missions consisting of close air support in Kutch and Barmer sector and successful strikes at Mirpur and Badin. He flew five counter air missions against Badin, Talahar and Masroor airfield. On the 13th December 1971, while he was proceeding on a strike mission to Talahar airfield he was engaged by a Sabre. In the ensuing air battle, he shot down the enemy aircraft. On another occasion, while he was on a close air support mission in Naya Chor area he was attacked by a Sabre. He maneuvered his aircraft with great skill and secured a hit at the enemy aircraft which was seen crashing.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Farokh Jehangir Mehta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Ravindra Nath Bali was a senior pilot in a FighterBomber Squadron. He was detailed to destroy a massive enemy thrust spearheaded by a tank regiment at Longewala. He led three strike missions on the 5th December, 1971 and one on the 6th December, 1971. During these attacks he destroyed three tanks and caused extensive damage to a number of other tanks and vehicles despite heavy ground fire and on some occasions intense enemy air opposition. On the 7th December 1971 he again led a strike mission to the same area and destroyed two tanks. However during the pull out after the second attack his aircraft was hit by ground fire and half of the control surfaces were knocked off. Despite the damage to his aircraft, he skillfully brought it back to base. His missions contributed significantly in neutralizing the enemy thrust and in the overall success of the operations.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ravindra Nath Bali displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Jagbir Singh was a senior pilot of a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On the 6th December, 1971 he carried out a tactical reconnaissance mission deep behind the enemy lines in LONGEWALA area and brought back exhaustive information of vital importance which altered the course of battle in the area to our advantage. Later, on the same day he destroyed a tank and a large number of support vehicles in the area. Again on the 9th December, 1971, after carrying out another very useful tactical reconnaissance he attacked and destroyed four tanks despite heavy ground fire. His mission contributed significantly in neutralizing the enemy thrust in the area.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Jagbir Singh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Dalip Kumar Dass as a pilot in a Fighter Bomber Squadron, flew a number of operational missions. On the 5th December, 1971, he was detailed on a mission to destroy a massive enemy thrust spear headed by a tank regiment at Longewala. He carried out three strike missions on 5th the December and one on the 6th December, 1971, and destroyed four tanks, a number of vehicles and droops concentrations despite heavy ground fire. His missions had a decisive effect in frustrating the enemy thrust.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dalip Kumar Dass displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Kukke Sreekantasastry Suresh was on the strength of a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On the 5th December, 1971, he was detailed to destroy a massive enemy thrust spear headed by a tank regiment at Longewala. During this mission he destroyed two tanks and damaged a number of other tanks despite heavy ground fire. While carrying out the attack his aircraft was hit and damaged by ground fire, but he skillfully brought the damaged aircraft back to the base safely. On the 13th December 1971, while on a strike mission he engaged a Sabre aircraft and shot it down.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Kukke Sreekantasastry Suresh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, as a pilot of a FighterBomber Squadron, was detailed to attack a massive enemy thrust at Longewala on the 5th and 6th December, 1971. Despite heavy and concentrated enemy ground fire, he successfully destroyed five enemy tanks as well as several gun positions and vehicles.

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

Squadron Leader Sharad Narayan Medhekar is the Flight Commander of an operational training unit. During the operations in December, 1971, he was attached to a fighter/bomber squadron in the Western Sector. On the 4th December, 1971, he took part in a mission to attack oil storage tanks at Karachi. He pressed home the attack in the face of heavy enemy ground fire. The splendid results obtained by this mission were most commendable. On the 12th December, 1971, he was again engaged in an attack on the enemy radar complex at Badin. Here, too, there was very heavy enemy ground fire, but he pressed the attack home, achieving remarkable success. To bring back evidence of the effect of the attack, he was also required to bring back photographs of the radar after the attack was over. In the face of the most intense ground fire he made the required photographic run over the target and was able to carry out the task. In addition, he carried out eleven other missions against the enemy in the close support role.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Sharad Narayan Medhekar displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty.