On 14th September 1965, Squadron Leader Chitranjan Mehta was detailed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft and installations at Bhagtanwala. He took off on the night of 14th September, 1965, but half way to the target, all his navigation aids failed. The visibility dropped down to less than one mile and the enemy blackout was so effective that it became impossible to navigate visually. Squadron Leader Mehta immediately took a new route along the river Jhelum. He had to fly very close to a bridge, which was guarded by the enemy with anti-aircraft guns. He skillfully avoided anti-aircraft fire and reached the target. As soon as he reached the airfield, the anti-aircraft guns from Sargodha airfield opened up a heavy barrage on him. To reconnoiter the airfield and to attack the targets, he had to stay over the target for at least 10 minutes. Needless of the anti-aircraft fire and ignoring the risk of being intercepted by missile carrying fighter aircraft that were patrolling a few miles away, Squadron Leader Chitranjan Mehta carried out the reconnaissance successfully.

Squadron Leader Chitranjan Mehta carried out nine successful missions and in those he penetrated deep into enemy territory fearlessly by day and by night and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.

In this mission, Squadron Leader Chitranjan Mehta displayed cool courage, determination and skill of a high order.