On 10th September, 1965, Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Khanna took off from Halwara as No. 4 in a formation of four Gnat aircraft to provide air cover to two Canberra sections on a bombing mission in enemy territory. All went according to plan and first Canberra was escorted to its target in the Kasur area and brought back safely. A rendezvous with the second section was made the four Gnats again proceeded to the target area.

As the two Canberra dropped their bombs, two enemy aircraft were reported. Just then Squadron Leader Khanna noticed that there was malfunction in the fuel system and his low level fuel warning light indicated that, at the height and speed, at which he was flying, he had little over 3 minutes fuel in the aircraft. The nearest landing ground was nearly eighty miles away.

Not wishing to divide the formation leader's attention between protection of Canberra and his own emergency, Squadron Leader Khanna decided not to inform the leader of his plight. Only when the Canberras had been escorted to the safety of own territory did Squadron Leader Khanna call out his emergency.

He then took a timely and bold decision to gain altitude and switch off the engine to conserve the remaining fuel. Thereafter, he glided towards Halwara and re-lighted the engine of circuit. As he was turning finals to land, his engine flamed out for lack of fuel but he carried out a successful landing.

Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Khanna displayed a sense of duty and discipline which were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Kailash Chandra Khanna was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 17th July 1954. He has served in a number of fighter and fighter bomber squadrons of the Air Force and is a qualified pilot attack instructor. He has also served in a Command Headquarters as a Command Flight Safety Officer. Since November, 1970, Wing Commander Kailash Chandra Khanna has been serving in a fighter bomber squadron, and has been the Commander of the Squadron for most of the period. He took a series of measures and brought the squadron to a high state of operational preparedness. The Squadron under the inspiring leadership of Wing Commander Kailash Chandra Khanna, played a major part in providing air support to the Army in the Chhamb Sector. His personal example and detailed briefing of his pilots on the tactics they were to adopt were largely responsible for their successes. He led 13 offensive missions himself, resulting in the destruction of a number of tanks, gun positions, enemy strong points and warlike stores.

Throughout, Wing Commander Kailash Chandra Khanna has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.