During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Group Captain Kottavathukal Thomas Abraham was commanding a Signals Unit in the Western Sector. He was in control of an Air Defence Direction Centre and a number of Ground Control Interception and Early Warning Units. A number of Air Defence Artillery Brigades and Surface to Air Guided Weapons Squadrons were also placed under his functional control. In addition, a completely new system, including a chain of Observation Posts were inducted into the existing system. With sound planning, hard work and inspiring leadership, Group Captain Abraham accomplished all the tasks creditably. The ground work laid down by him prevented the enemy Air Force from carrying but any productive strike. When enemy aircraft attached and damaged some equipment of his unit, he made it possible for the unit to resume operations with commendable speed and also to handle the heavy volume of operational traffic.

Throughout, Group Captain Kottavathukal Thomas Abraham displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971 Wing Commander Somendra Kumar Roy was commanding a Transport Squadron. He was the Force Commander of his squadron aircraft that took part in the airborne operation on the 11th December, 1971. He planned and organised the operation and led his force with cool courage and earned out the airborne operation with great success.

In this action, Wing Commander Somendra Kumar Roy displayed courage, leadership and professional skill.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Johney William Greene was commanding a Fighter Squadron. He flew a number of operational missions in the form of Combat Air Patrol, sweeps and escort. On the 4th December, 1971, while he was on Combat Air Patrol mission, two F-104 aircraft attempted to attack an airfield. Even though he was alone in the air, he took offensive action and attacked the enemy aircraft. The enemy aircraft jettisoned the tanks and armament load and engaging the reheat, retreated towards their own territory.

Throughout, Wing Commander Johney William Greene displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Man Singh was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1951, and has been employed on the operational staff of Headquarters Western Air Command since June 1969. He improved the operational efficiency of the Squadrons under Western Air Command. He successfully organised and conducted numerous exercises to test the efficiency of the Squadrons. He contributed greatly to the formulation of the Operational Plans of the Command and his advice had always been very useful. He made a significant contribution towards the success of the plans of the Command Headquarters during the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971.Throughout, Wing Commander Man Singh displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Kumarapalayam Ramasubramaniam Natarajan was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in February, 1952. He was posted as Senior Technical Staff Officer of Headquarters Eastern Air Command in January, 1970. From February, 1971 he has been functioning as Command Engineering Officer responsible for maintenance of all aircraft and airborne equipments including the provisioning responsibilities associated with it. There was need for streamlining and systematizing the modus operand so that timely action was initiated to ensure that spares were produced in a scientific manner. There was also the need for rationalising the second­line servicing aspects to ensure optimum efficiency. He infused a sense of urgency and understanding of the problem to the various units concerned and his efforts resulted in a high degree of serviceability of aircraft during the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971.

Throughout, Wing Commander Kumarapalayam Ramasubramaniam Natarajan displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Anadi Shankar Sarkar was serving as Chief Technical Officer at an Operational Wing. With his personal example, man management, he ensured a very high rate of serviceability of air craft inspite of staggering number of sorties flown and the damage caused to the aircraft by enemy action. He was responsible for the expeditious repair of five aircraft which were unserviceable. Under his supervision and guidance, a very high rate of serviceability of specialist vehicles was ensured resulting in quick turn around of the aircraft. He had so geared up the station workshop that it manufactured certain items which were earlier considered beyond local capability.

Throughout Wing Commander Anadi Shankar Sarkar displayed initiative, professional knowledge and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Gandharva Sen was commanding a Signal Unit. His unit stopped functioning only once despite the fact that it was subjected to twenty-nine enemy air attacks. Even on that one occasion, the disruption of power supply and damage to the equipment was rectified in about half an hour. When his Unit was called upon to perform the additional role of Air Defence Direction Centre, he rendered valuable assistance in arranging air defence of the tactical areas, protection of our own aircraft on offensive missions and organising aggressive action over enemy territory in the form of sweeps. Apart from the operational tasks directly connected with the Unit, he also carried out the task of training a large number of personnel from the Air Force to enable them to man the low level reporting system which functioning very well during hostilities.

Throughout, Wing Commander Gandharva Sen displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duly.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Keshava Dev Kanagat was commanding a Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron. The work of maritime reconnaissance, search sighting and reporting and guidance carried out by the Squadron In close cooperation with the Indian Navy was of very vital importance to the Naval operations and contributed considerably towards the success of Naval operations both in the Western and Eastern Sectors. He carried out the maximum number and most hazardous missions himself and was a source of inspiration and courage lo his aircrew. It was largely due to him that the squadron carried out all maritime operations assigned to it successfully.

Throughout, Wing Commander Keshava Dev Kanagat displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Jagjit Singh Sawhney was commanding a Transport Squadron. Although his Squadron was deployed at three places, he remained in constant touch with all these detachments to ensure optimum work-out-put. He led his Squadron in airborne operations over Bangladesh and also took part in the airlift of an Infantry Brigade.

Throughout, Wing Commander Jagjit Singh Sawhney displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Rajaram Jayaram Ambegaonker was commanding a Transport Squadron which was deployed In the Eastern Sector. He increased the output of his squadron and toned up the operational efficiency of aircrew and groundcrew. He also improved the serviceability state of his aircraft by organizing aircraft maintenance on a 24 hours basis. He led a section of aircraft in the airborne operation over Bangladesh on the 11th December, 1971, and the restraining strap on his aircraft gave way causing the premature extraction of a part of his load, he maintained control over the aircraft and completed the missions.

Throughout, Wing Commander Rajaram Jayaram Ambegaonkar displayed courage, leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Gursharan Singh was serving as the Chief Technical Officer of an Operational Wing. His sustained work resulted in a high rate of fighter and bomber serviceability. With complete disregard to personal comfort and undeterred by multifarious maintenance problems, he worked round the clock to produce excellent results.

Throughout, Wing Commander Gursharan Singh displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Thittanimuttam Krishnaswamy Seshachari was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Thittanimuttam Krishnaswamy Seshachari was serving as the Senior Armament Officer of an Operational Wing. He took over control of Squadron Armament work in addition to his normal duties. It was lately due to him that the Squadron was able to achieve a high rate of success in the operational sorties. He reduced the turn­round time of aircraft to a considerable extent and by intelligent analysis the bomb hang ups were reduced to virtually zero. He made significant contributions towards armament modifications and trials for carriage and launching of special stores from aircraft and thus considerably improved the operational capability of the Bomber aircraft.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Thittanimuttam Krishnaswamy Seshachari displayed professional skill, organising ability and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Satwant Singh has been a Senior Flight Commander of a Fighter Squadron for nearly five years. During the entire period, he devoted himself selflessly and trained the pilots to ensure the operational readiness of the Squadron. During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, he led twenty Combat Air Patrol, sweep and escort missions setting an example to his pilots who put in their best efforts for the defence of the airfield.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Satwant Singh displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Amrit Mohan Mehta was a Flight Commander of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. On the 4th December, 1971, he was detailed to carry out a photo reconnaissance mission over an Airfield. Immediately on completion of his mission, he was intercepted by two enemy Sabres, but he jettisoned his external loads, manoeuvred his aircraft and thus avoided attack by the enemy aircraft. A little later while on his way back to base, he was chased by two enemy Mirages but he again skillfully manoeuvred his aircraft and avoided interception. Though his aircraft had run short of fuel and the engine flamed out a few kilometers away from his base, he carried out a dead stick landing and thus saved the valuable aircraft. The photographs brought by him gave information about enemy airfield, which were of immense value for further planning. In addition, he successfully led many strike missions, interdiction missions against enemy lines of communication and close air support missions.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Amrit Mohan Mehta displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh Verdi was serving as a senior pilot with a Fighter Squadron. On the 8th December, 1971, he went on a low level sweep mission as a number 3 in a four aircraft formation. After completion of the mission, as the formation was approaching the base, his aircraft was hit by a flock of three large birds and the aircraft including the engine was severely damaged. The wind­screen was smashed and the canopy was broken. He lost R/T contact and could see only the side of the cockpit. Despite the steady and progressive loss of engine thrust and the limited vision, he located the airfield and landed safely thus saving the valuable aircraft.

In this action, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh Verdi displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Tehmurasp Ratanshaw Patel was serving with an operational Squadron in the Eastern Sector. On the 4th December, 1971, he was No. 3 of a strike mission over Dacca airfield. He had difficulty in raising the undercarriage of his aircraft and by the time he was able to raise it, he was separated from the formation. On his own, he attacked and caused heavy damage to a goods train and also fired at many enemy positions before returning to base. On subsequent days, he carried out a number of strike missions. On the 11th December, 1971, Squadron Leader Patel along with another pilot took off for an attack on enemy bunkers in Rangpur area. After knocking out the bunkers while pulling out of the dive, the aircraft was hit by ground fire. Both the pilots sustained extensive injuries. Squadron Leader Patel was hit by splinters near his eyes which caused severe pain and bleeding. Inspite of the injuries, he brought the aircraft back to base.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Tehmurasp Ratanshaw Patel displayed courage, professional flying skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Ujjal Singh Pruthi was serving as a surgical specialist in on Air Force Hospital in the Eastern Sector. It was entirely due to his foresight and planning that the hospital could meet all demands placed on it. With his professional knowledge and administrative ability, he stepped up the hospital to a high state of efficiency. As the battle casualties started pouring in, he singlehanded carried out surgical operations for long periods. On one occasion, 41 casualties were attended to and emergency operations carried out in a period of 48 hours. On another occasion, when 22 casualties were brought in, he worked in the Operation Theatre for 36 hours at a stretch. The hospital treated 148 battle casualties during a period of ten days. As a result of prompt attention, all the cases were saved without losing a single life.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ujjal Singh Pruthi displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Shailesh Kumar was serving as Sector Operation Officer with a Signals Unit. He introduced new and original ideas and training schemes which led to considerable improvement in the working of the Air Defence system. The induction of a large number of operational units of various types during the operations required intelligent planning and meticulous coordination which he achieved with commendable efficiency. In addition, he was always concerned with the safe return and recovery of our offensive missions which saved a number of our aircraft under emergency conditions. On many occasions, he directed the successful interception of enemy aircraft by our fighters.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Shailesh Kumar displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Krishnaswamy Chandra Shekhar was the Flight Commander of a Fighter Squadron. By sound planning, he ensured that all the Pilots of his Squadron were fully operational by day as well as by night. He carried out a number of Photographic missions deep into the enemy territory in unarmed aircraft and in heavily defended areas.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Krishnaswamy Chandra Shekhar displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Ajai Kumar Brahmawar was serving with a Fighter Squadron. He was responsible for bringing the Squadron to a high state of operational readiness. He flew twenty-six operational missions in the form of combat air patrol, escort and interception. It was because of his personal example that the Squadron flew 55 to 60 sorties every day irrespective of weather conditions, in pitch dark nights and at low altitude in the vicinity of hilly areas without any mishap.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ajai Kumar Brahmawar displayed courage, professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Baljit Singh Saint displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Sahay Sanjeeva was serving as a senior pilot in a fighter Squadron. He flew twenty eight operational missions in the form of combat air patrol escort and interception irrespective of weather limitations, in pitch dark nights and at low altitudes in the vicinity of hilly areas.

During his escort missions, he always ensured that the strike force was not threatened by enemy aircraft. On one occasion, while leading an escort mission of four aircraft, he spotted two enemy Mirage aircraft closing in on the formation from a very advantageous position. He immediately ordered his No. 2 to the correct position and manoeuvred his own aircraft in such a way that in one turn he started closing behind the enemy aircraft which surprised the enemy. The enemy aircraft, however, escaped after diving to the ground level. Instead of pursuing the enemy, he stayed with our strike force as otherwise our force would have been left without protection.Throughout, Squadron Leader Sahay Sanjeeva displayed courage, leadership and professional skill.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Jatendra Kumar Dhawan displayed profcssiona1 skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Dinkar Shantaram Jatar was attached to a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He carried out a large number of operational missions deep into enemy territory despite heavy ground fire and air opposition. On the 4th December, 1971, when his No. 2 was hit by ground fire and ejected deep inside enemy territory. He, unmindful of his safety, remained in the area till he could confirm the safe ejection of his No. 2. On the 9th December, 1971, while attacking an airfield beyond hundred nautical miles in enemy territory, he ran short of fuel. Undeterred, he pressed home two attacks and brought the aircraft back to base with practically no fuel. On the 10th December, 1971, while on a close support mission, the left engine of his aircraft was crippled by enemy ground fire. Despite this handicap, he completed his mission and returned to base safely.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dinkar Shantaram Jatar displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Billore Satyanarayana Raju was serving as Officerin-Charge, Photo Section of an Operational Squadron. The photo section, under his personal supervision, produced over 50 000 prints of vital reconnaissance missions maintaining highest quality control. On the 13th December, 1971, aerial photographs were taken of all approaches to Dacca city, and six thousand two hundred prints with twenty enlargements were delivered the next morning. The information collected through these prints was of immense value to our ground forces in planning their operations.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Billore Satyanarayana Raju displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Prashant Satyadeo Dikshit was serving with a Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of operational reconnaissance missions covering vital targets like Chitagong, Cox Bazaar, Sylhet and Dacca. On the 4th December, 1971, he volunteered for night mission over Sargodha and carried it out successfully.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Prashant Satyadeo Dikshit displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Harjit Singh Bedi flew twenty-six operational missions in the form of reconnaissance, emergency supply and casualty evacuation, from one of the forward airfields in the Rajasthan sector. He carried out these missions despite bombing and straffing of the areas by enemy aircraft. On the 14th December, 1971, while he was going to land at a Helipad in a forward area for evacuation of casualties, four enemy aircraft attacked in the vicinity. Despite these attacks, he landed his Helicopter in such a manner that the enemy aircraft could not spot it. He thus not only saved the Helicopter, but also remained with it and flew it back to base.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Harjit Singh Bedi displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Maneck Bomanshaw Madon, as a senior pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron, carried out several operational missions against enemy gun positions and troop concentrations in the Khem Karan Sector. On the 10th December, 1971, he was detailed to carry out Rocket Pod and Front Gun Missions along the Ichogil Canal. He located the well dug­in defensive positions of the enemy and carried out four attacks on them despite heavy ground fire. During these attacks, though his aircraft was hit on the wing resulting in fuel leakage and he faced control difficulty, he brought the damaged aircraft to the base.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Maneck Bomanshaw Madon displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Surinder Kumar Mitroo as a senior pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron was detailed to lead an Interdiction mission. He located a target at Raiwind which was heavily defended. While attacking the target, his aircraft was hit by the enemy ground fire. The Rudder was jammed, partially offset to the right and the Hydraulic system suffered extensive damage. Besides, there was a two feet long tear in the rear fuselage which was badly distorted. Though experiencing partial loss of control, he skillfully brought the aircraft back to base using the emergency system to obtain landing configuration and thus saved a valuable aircraft.

In. this action, Flight Lieutenant Surinder Kumar Mitroo displayed courage and professional skill.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Jagdish Bhattacharya, as a pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron, carried out many operational missions. On the 6th December, 1971, while he was attacking the enemy near Munawar river, his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire. As his aircraft was getting out of control, he ejected in the enemy territory. The enemy sent a detachment to capture him but inspite of spine injury, he evaded the enemy.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Jagdish Bhattacharya displayed courage and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Vijay Arora was serving with an operational Squadron in the Western Sector. He was a member of the crew who undertook two bombing missions to Changa Manga on the 3rd and 4th December, 1971, and one mission to Haji Pir Pass on the 5th December, 1971. On the mission to Haji Pir Pass, he rectified a serious defect to release system in utter disregard to his personal safety by opening the cargo door of the aircraft without a monkey belt.

In these actions, Flight Lieutenant Vijay Arora displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Palamadai Sundaram Subramanian was serving as Engineering Officer of an Operational Squadron. He put the Repair and Servicing Section on a sound footing. Throughout the period of the operations, he worked incessantly and maintained a high serviceability rate. He thus made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency and achievements of the Squadron.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Palamadai Sundaram Subramanian displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Kantilal Gandhi was serving with a Fighter Squadron. He flew 11 sorties of offensive Air Support missions, 6 sorties of counter Air Operations and 3 sorties of Air Defence missions. Out of these he led 9 missions. In offensive support missions, he carried out four strikes at Brigade Headquarters at Jamalpur, of which two were led by him. He carried out bombing attacks on Lai-Mai Army position and destroyed four bunkers. In counter Air operations, he carried out 3 sorties of day and 2 sorties of night bombing over Tezgaon and Kurmitola airfields which were heavily defended by Anti-aircraft artillery. He was the first person to carry out night bombing sorties in the type of fighter aircraft he was flying. He carried out two strikes on the troop concentrations in Dacca and destroyed the target despite heavy ground fire.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Kantilal Gandhi displayed courage, leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Charan Singh Dhillon was one of the senior pilots of a Fighter Bomber squadron. On the 4th December, 1971, he carried out a deep day penetration mission to an enemy airfield and destroyed a P.O.L. and Ammunition Dump, despite aerial engagement and heavy ground fire.

While returning from his mission, he was engaged by an enemy aircraft in close combat and though he was extremely short of fuel, yet he successfully disengaged his aircraft. Later, when about 10 miles away from the base, his engine flamed out he successfully force landed at the base and saved the valuable aircraft.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Charan Singh Dhillon displayed courage and professional skill.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Shridhar Madhav Ghatate as a Senior Pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron, flew twelve operational missions, and destroyed two enemy tanks and a number of vehicles. On two occasions, when his aircraft was hit by ground fire, he brought his aircraft back to base with almost no fuel and thus saved two operational aircraft. He set an example to the Pilots by his courage in hitting the enemy positions despite heavy ground fire and by pressing home attacks in complete disregard to his personal safety.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Shridhar Madhav Ghatate displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Nayanathara Kunjan Pillai Raghava Menon was attached to a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of operational missions deep inside enemy territory despite heavy ground and air opposition. On the 16th December, 1971, while on a bombing and strafing mission, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The shell shattered the canopy and fragments of the shell got embedded in his body injuring him seriously and hampering his vision. Though be was more than seventy nautical miles away from his base, he brought the aircraft back to base safely instead of abandoning it.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Nayanathara Kunjan Pillai Raghava Menon displayed courage, determination and professional skill.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Mohankumar Prabhakar Samant, as a pilot in a Fighter Bomber Squadron, carried out a number of operational missions deep inside enemy territory despite heavy ground fire and air oppositions. He took aerial photographs of Sargodha airfield which was heavily defended and brought back information of immense value to the Army and the Air Force for further planning. On the 6th December, 1971, he carried out two interdiction missions over Laila Musa marshalling yard and destroyed a railway engine and ten bogies of a goods train carrying military stores and thus prevented the enemy in getting the supply of ammunition. During one of these missions, he cut off the lines of communication of the enemy. On the 8th and 9th December, 1971, he led two successful strike missions over Chander and Walton airfields and caused extensive damage to the runway and the dispersal area. He also photographed the Ichogal Canal and the Chhamb area west of river Tawi and brought back photographs of great operational value.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Mohankumar Prabhakar Samant displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Prakash Nath Sharma, as a pilot of a Helicopter Unit, operated from forward helipads in support of our ground forces. He flew fifty missions deep inside enemy territory carrying food, water and ammunition for our ground forces in Nayachor, Chhachor and Khinsar areas and bringing back battle casualties. Sometimes, he had to land at completely unprepared desert surface, well within the range of enemy fire. On the 11th December, 1971, while returning from a mission, he was attacked by four enemy aircraft about six miles from Nayachor. He immediately landed his helicopter between two sand dunes and ordered his crew to take cover under the thick dust raised up by the rotor. The enemy aircraft straffed the helicopter and the crew and one of the aircraft dropped a 500 lbs bomb also, but their attacks failed to find the mark. The only damage caused was that the perspex of the Helicopter got shattered and the reductor bay cowling was blown apart. Undeterred, he took off again and landed at a forward helipad and thus not only saved the helicopter but also the lives of the crew members.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Prakash Nath Sharma displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh was Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit. He undertook hazardous tasks over difficult terrain. He moulded his team into a highly organized and effective force, capable of giving their best at all times. On the 16th December, 1971, while on a mission to Sylhet, his aircraft which was flying at a height of one kilometre was hit by enemy ground fire and one of the bullets after penetrating the cabin, hit an oil pipe thus resulting in leakage of hot oil into the cabin. He pulled up the aircraft immediately to 1.5 km of height and by this time the reductor oil pressure had started dropping rapidly. It was by then dark and returning to base or to any other airfield was impossible. He, however, brought the aircraft out of enemy area, selected a suitable field at Fenchugari after approximately 15 minutes flying under trying circumstances in complete darkness and made a successful landing and thus saved the aircraft and the lives of the passengers and crew. Earlier on the 8th December, 1971, he brought the aircraft back safely when it was hit just six inches behind the co­pilot seat, twice on main rotor blades and once on main gear box cowling by enemy ground fire.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Rudra Krishna Bishnoi was serving with a Transport Squadron in the Eastern Sector. On the 10th December, 1971, he was detailed to undertake a supply dropping mission in support of our forward troops at Sylhet, he took off with full load of ammunition and on arriving over the target faced heavy ground fire. In spite of intense firing from the ground he continued his drop run and delivered the urgently required ammunition to the troops. During the process of drop, his port fuel tank was hit by ground fire in three places and fuel was streaming out and the engine was spluttering. He controlled the crippled aircraft, feathered the engine and carried out a safe single engine landing at a forward base. This emergency drop enabled our troops to overcome the enemy opposition and gain vital advantage. On previous night, he had undertaken three bombing missions in an unarmed transport aircraft over enemy airfields.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rudra Krishna Bishnoi displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Philip George was serving as Engineering Officer of a Squadron. Throughout the operations, the Unit maintained 100% serviceability. All the aircraft of the Unit operated from various airfields during day and night on operational reconnaissance missions. This achievement was largely due to untiring efforts of Flight Lieutenant Philip George. His qualities of leadership inspired his men to work cheerfully round the clock.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Philip George displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operation against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Konerirajapuram Srinivasan Raghavachari served with an operational Squadron in the Eastern Sector. He undertook a number of strike missions. His aircraft was hit on a number of occasions but he safely brought it back to base every time. Undaunted by heavy enemy ground fire, he pursued his missions and pressed home his attacks. He was responsible for destruction of enemy positions which included runways, bunkers, gun positions and troop concentrations.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Konerirajapuram Srinivasan Raghavachari displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Kuldip Singh Bajwa was serving with an operational Squadron in the Eastern Sector. On the 4th December, 1971, he was No. 4 of the formation which attacked a heavily defended airfield. Short of the target, he was the first pilot who noticed that his formation had been attacked by three Sabres. He immediately took appropriate steps and saved the threatened aircraft. In a subsequent strike on Tejgaon on the same day where he was No. 2 in a two aircraft formation, he found his leader being attacked by a Sabre. He again exercised effective control and informed his leader to execute a timely Break. At this stage he was fired upon by the enemy. His aircraft was damaged and it went out of control close to the Ground. Rather than abandoning the aircraft over enemy territory he brought his aircraft under control, a few feet off the ground and decided to make an attempt to take the aircraft to base. He flew the damaged aircraft over a distance of 150 nautical miles and landed it safely at the base. Subsequently, he executed several highly effective missions in the face of heavy ground fire. He attacked and damaged a number of enemy ammunition dumps, many gun positions, tanks, ferry boats, trains, bunkers, buildings and effectively straffed enemy concentration areas.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Kuldip Singh Bajwa displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations, against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Thakurdas Chandani carried out twenty-six sorties in JAMMU AND KASHMIR Sector. On the 14th December, 1971, when he was returning from Nainakot, his co-pilot drew his attention to one of our aircraft which had been shot down and was on fire. He immediately landed near the wreckage and rescued an Army Officer who was the only living occupant of the aircraft and thus saved his life.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Thakurdas Chandani displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty,

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Kalyan Brata Bagchi was serving as an Interception Director in the Eastern Sector. On the 22nd November, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Bagchi observed on his radar scope one single blot close to Jessore heading towards our border. He scrambled four Gnats from Dum Dum within half a minute. He positioned his fighters with precision and achieved such a tactical advantage that the moment the Pakistani Air Force intruders entered the Indian territory at Boyra, our fighters were ready to engage them. Flight Lieutenant Bagchi continued to give direction to pilots and this resulted in shooting down of three Pakistani Air Force Sabre Jets and capture of two pilots. In this action, Flight Lieutenant Kalyan Brata Bagchi displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Jagjit Singh Ghuman as a pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron, flew fourteen missions in support of our ground forces and destroyed two tanks, three vehicles and one enemy gun position. He also successfully attacked Sulemanki Head Works which was heavily defended. The destruction of this target was of paramount importance to halt the enemy Armour. He also bombed enemy concentration of troops over Dharwal Village, Norowal Railway Yard and enemy troops and tank concentration in village Mehlwanni Zaffarwal area.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Jagjit Singh Ghuman displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Joginder Pal worked single-handed and round the clock, supervising rectification, loading and unloading of armament stores, changes of configuration and was generally in charge of the armament operations. The fact, that the Squadron dropped over 4,00,000 lbs. of bomb load and a variety of other miscellaneous stores, within a period of a fortnight, is a tribute to his hard work and dedication to duty.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Joginder Pal displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Perminder Jit Singh Sidhu was serving as a pilot with a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of operational missions deep inside enemy territory in the Eastern as well as Western Sectors. In the Eastern Sector, while flying as a wing man on a mission to Gaibanda ferry, he damaged the ferry and a number of steamships. Later, he carried out offensive missions and destroyed trains and marshalling yards in Rangpur-Bogra Sector, In the Western Sector, he led an offensive mission in the Siddinya Canal area and caused heavy damage to the bridges across the canal and enemy bunkers. All these missions were carried out in the face of heavy enemy ground fire and air opposition.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Perminder Jit Singh Sidhu displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.