During the month of April, 1982, a task involving placement of heavy machinery and its removal after the function was entrusted to Sqn Ldr Sharwan Kumar Bhatia. The locations were at series of small patches of ground all about 6000' altitude along the Himalayan border where it looked almost impossible to land an Mi-8 helicopter with such a heavy cargo.

Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia (11316) Flying (Pilot), faced the task with utmost courage. In a series of one hundred and twenty eight landings spread over a continuous period of ninety days, flying under extremely unfavourable conditions in all aspects and the area of operation through the deep hazardous gorges of Himalayas and stresses and strains. Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia completed the task and came out as “Complete Pilot” of the Indian Air Force. An error of minor nature over such a long period, at any stage, would have meant grave loss and a total disaster to him.

Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia thus displayed sustained courage and a high degree of professional skill, competence and devotion to duty.

On the 24th June, 1982, information was received about 19 Army personnel had been stranded near INDRAJOT PASS north of DHARMSALA. A rescue aircraft was launched and it was found that the personnel were on a rock at a height of 14500 ft AMSL and on the mountain side with a gradient of 75°. The personnel were surrounded by nearly 10 feet of fresh snow. It was appreciated that no landing could be attempted and winching operation will be required to rescue the personnel. Food, medicines and blankets were dropped at the site and the aircraft returned to base late in the evening. On the 25th June, 1982, Flight Lieutenant Bikram Dev Singh, Flying (Pilot) was detailed to commence rescue operation in Cheetah aircraft fitted with rescue hoist. He reached the site at about 0900 hours. The weather at that time was fair but the wind speeds were of the order of about 40 knots. After a through recce the aircraft was brought to hover 15' above the stranded personnel. Because of the very steep incline and location of personnel, the aircraft had to be hovered leaving very small margin between the rotor and cliff side. Hovering under such conditions of high altitude, strong winds and very difficult terrain is a nightmarish task requiring exceptional skills. The helper was lowered at the site and two Army personnel were hoisted up and taken to YOL. On returning to the site, it was found that the weather had sharply deteriorated. Clouds had rolled in over the area, the visibility had dropped to 100 metres and wind speed had picked up to about 50 to 55 knots. Flt Lt Bikram Dev Singh continued the rescue operation with cool professionalism and in two more trips evacuated in all six personnel. By 1730 hours all stranded personnel had been brought to YOL.

Flt Lt Bikram Dev Singh thus displayed courage, a high degree of professional skill, competence and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.