Wing Commander Alagaraja Perumal was tasked on a vital Photographic Reconnaissance mission on 21st May, 1999 near the Line of Control over Dras, Kargil and Batalik sectors with two MiG-29 aircraft as escorts.

During the mission, at about 0900 hours, after photographing Batalik sector, he experienced a violent jolt accompanied by uncontrolled yaw and roll. The escort aircraft reported bright flash along with debris flying off and smoke emanating from recce aircraft's starboard engine. The aircraft had been hit by a missile. Despite the grave, life threatening situation, Wing Commander Perumal maintained his cool and displaying exceptional skill and courage, he managed to exit the threat zone. One of the engines was completely lost and the aircraft had suffered severe damage. Radio reception was garbled and intermittent, he could not hear the extent of damage caused by missile hit. The aircraft was behaving abnormally by yawing and rolling violently. Even in this dangerous situation, Wing Commander Perumal decided not to abandon the aircraft but retrieve the valuable equipment and above all the precious “mission photographs” on board. He took a daring decision of recovering crippled aircraft to the nearest airfield at Srinagar. He controlled the aircraft and kept in his cool inspite of the requirement of continuous descent to maintain speed over the hilly terrain. He displayed exceptional courage, determination and flying skill in controlling a crippled asymmetric powered aircraft for 45 minutes before executing a landing at Srinagar.

Wing Commander Alagaraja Perumal displayed gallantry and extraordinary professional courage in recovering damaged aircraft in total disregard to his personal safety.