During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh commanded No. 5 "Tuskers" Squadron, stationed at Agra. The unit equipped with the Canberra bomber, was assigned the triple task of tactical bombing, close support and armed patrolling. Under his able guidance the squadron carried out tactical bombing of various targets to destroy the Pakistan Air Force on the ground. Led by Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh himself, Pak army camp east of Gujarat and airfields at Chaklala, Dab, Murid, Akwal, Risalwala, Wagowal, Sargodha and Peshawar were successfully attacked by his bombers.

The squadron gave close support to the army in Kasur, Khem Karan, Pasrur, Chawinda and Sialkot sectors. Bombs were dropped on the enemy concentrations at all these places. During the period of war the squadron undertook 39 sorties of armed patrolling over Agra, Palam, Ambala, Halwara and Adampur. Most of the operational missions over the enemy territory were carried out during the hours of darkness. The targets were identified in the moon-light. These dangerous operational sorties were undertaken in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire with exceptional courage and determination.

Wing Commander Prem Pal was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for displaying a high sense of duty and gallantry.

Squadron Leader (then Flight Lieutenant) Takle was the navigator of a Canberra aircraft which was on an air-to-ground strafing sortie against an enemy airfield and other installations in Katanga. The aircraft was hit at several places by enemy fire. One of the bullets wounded Squadron Leader Takle and he was bleeding profusely. Despite this he continued to direct the aircraft into attacks until the target was effectively destroyed and did not inform the pilot of his condition until he had calculated and set the course for home. In doing so, Squadron Leader Takle displayed devotion to duty and gallantry of a high order.

Wing Commander Suares was the Commanding Officer of the Canberra Unit operating with UN Forces in the Congo. On 6th December 1961, he and his navigator Squadron Leader (then Flight Lieutenant) Takle were on an air-to-ground operational strafing sortie against an enemy airfield and other installations in Katanga. These officers carried out the attack despite intense enemy fire from the ground and destroyed the target thus enabling the ground forces to achieve their objective. A number of bullets hit the aircraft. One of them hit the navigator in the thigh and he began to bleed profusely. Disregarding his own safety, Wing Commander Suares set the aircraft on auto-pilot and rendered first aid to the navigator and thus helped save his life.

In doing this Wing Commander Suares showed courage in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Gautam was one of the pilots operating with the Canberra Unit in the Congo during 1961. On 6 December 1961, he was ordered to attack Kolwezi airfield in Katanga. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions and heavy enemy opposition, he courageously and successfully carried out several attacks on the airfield and completely destroyed the Fouga aircraft which was harassing UN Ground forces. He also shot up three other Katangese aircraft on the field and neutralized other installations around it. Flight Lieutenant Gautam also carried out several other successful missions over Elizabethville in close support of the ground forces operating against the Katangese.

Throughout the operations Flight Lieutenant Gautam displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.