On the 8th March, 1986, while on a reconnaissance mission with the General Officer Commanding and the Brigade Commander on board aircraft flown by Lieutenant Colonel Vijay Kumar Sitaram, Flight Commander of an Air Observation Post Squadron, operating in forward area in Northern Sector was fired upon by the enemy with surface to air missiles. With reflex action and superb airmanship, he manoeuvred his aircraft out of the direction of the missile, missing it by inches. Totally unnerved he continued to take evasive action and landed safely.

A second reconnaissance was launched, with the Brigade Commander on board, to locate the site of the missile system. During the second mission, his mission was again engaged by ground fire. With his daring skill and superb airmanship reconnaissance was able to detect the enemy positions. After location, he got airborne again under enemy fire and conducted an accurate artillery shoot destroying the enemy position.

Lieutenant Colonel Vijay Kumar Sitaram thus displayed indomitable courage, a high degree of professional skill and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.