Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru was inducted in Air Force Element of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka with the very first fleet of Akbars while he was still undergoing conversion. On 26th October 1987, Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru flew in a mission ex-Jaffna to search and destroy militants vehicles operating on the Jaffna Karaitivu causeway. Five vans were located on the causeway while attempting to flee towards Karaitivu. With extra ordinary accuracy and commendable professional calmness he destroyed these vehicles and killed all the militants personnel aboard these vehicles.

On the 3rd November 1987 Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru flew in a close air support mission for one of the Commando Battalion of the Para Regiment. The Commandos were surrounded by the militants and subjected to heavy automatic fire. He engaged the militants’ location on the Para Commando perimeter. These locations were within three hundred meters of friendly forces. The militants engaged the aircraft with automatic weapons using tracer ammunition and scored a hit. In spite of the visible stream of ground fire, Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru engaged the militants. His action forced the militants to retreat from their positions. The Para commandos won this action solely because of the Air Support provided by Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru’s determined attack on militants’ position.

On the 7th December, 1987, Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru flew in a search and destroy mission in support of one of the Commando Battalions of the Para Regiment in area Mulaitivu. The militants disembarked from a tractor and opened fire at the aircraft. In complete disregard of personal safety, Flight lieutenant Atanu Guru swiftly and accurately returned the fire and silenced the militants’ guns. Subsequent intercepts of militant radio messages showed that the devastating fire had destroyed the tractor and killed and wounded several militants.

On the 15th December 1987, while engaging a militant vehicle-carrying reinforcements against a battalion of Garhwal Rifles in Mulaitivu area the militants opened fire and the aircraft was hit on the main rotor blade. Despite this and intense enemy fire, Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru returned the fire and destroyed the van.

Flight Lieutenant Atanu Guru, thus, displayed conspicuous gallantry in a series of missions undertaken in support of IPKF ground forces.

Since 1st March, 1988 Flight Lieutenant Manavendra Singh (16983) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of an Operational Helicopter Unit.

Flt Lt Manavendra Singh has to his credit the successful carrying out of over 2000 operational missions and over 1000 sorties to the highest helipad in the hospitable terrain of the Siachen Glacier. Between 26th June and 21st August 1988 on eight separate occasions, at three different helipads on the Siachen Glacier, Flight Lieutenant Manavendra Singh faced the additional challenges due to incessant enemy small arms and artillery. He has faced this grim situation every time with exceptional courage and gallantry. Being a dedicated soldier, he always undertook such missions with unusual enthusiasm in spite of being clearly aware of the inherent dangers.

His gallant conduct has been a source of inspiration to all personnel of his unit besides upholding the great traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On the 24th August 1988 when ‘OP CHRCKMATE’ phase (III), being conducted by 4 Inf Div in Mitikaikulam jungles in Sri Lanka, Wing Commander Dhirendra Nath Sahae was detailed of standby at Mulaitivu helipad with 4 x 16 57 mm RPS in offensive role. During a dare devil attack on the TAC HQ of 7 Brigade, the militants blew up one OP Chetak and managed to damage another. They also managed to attack the HQ with RPG and automatic weapons thus gravely endangering lives of GOC IPKF Land Forces, other senior Army and Air Force Officers present at that location. Wing Commander Sahae was immediately asked to scramble in order to deal with LTTE threat. He got airborne and reached the area within record time of 12 minutes. He engaged the militants and fired the rockets at the area as directed by another airborne Chetak aircraft. He successfully neutralized and threat and ensured safety and security of the TAC HQ and senior Army and Air Force Commanders at the site. Three militants were reported killed due to his timely action and they were forced to withdraw without causing any further damage.

Wing Commander Dhirendra Nath Sahae, thus, displayed exceptional professional skill, devotion to duty, courage and bravery of high order in action against militants.

On the night of 9th November 1987 at 2330 hours, Wing Commander Krishan Kumar Yadav, task force commander, heliborne operation in Jaffna, was called upon by one of the Division Commanders to undertake an emergent mission in which 180 commandos of one of the Para Battalions were to be dropped at Sabaipai, to neutralize a strong hold of militants. Knowing the guerrilla warfare tactics and the prevailing ground situation, Wing Commander Yadav made a prudent assessment of situation and flew initially a single aircraft with limited troops to the dropping zone to safeguard against large un-escorted heliborne force getting destroyed by ground fire before it could reach the target. His appreciation was proved correct. Just after landing of the force, the militant guerrillas opened heavy ground fire on the helicopter and took a pot shot on Wing Commander Yadav’s aircraft. A brave and dedicated leader, Wing Commander Yadav took control of his aircraft and the situation and recovered the helicopter safely to the base. Undeterred by operational hazards of guerrilla warfare and the fierce ground fire encountered in the previous sortie, he led the remaining two sorties shortly after the first mission and accomplished the task of dropping all 180 troops at the designated places even though the ground fire still persisted.

Wing Commander Krishan Kumar Yadav displayed gallantry, professionalism and selfless devotion to duty in action against the militants.