Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh the Signals officer of one of our radar stations near the Indo­Pak border was charged with the responsibility of maintaining the radar unit at a high state of serviceability. His tasks during the period of operations between 5th August and 23rd September required not only a high degree of technical knowledge but a good deal of resourcefulness and skill at improvisation. His stock of spares was meager; the unit was under constant bombing and strafing attacks by Pakistani bombers and fighters. In one such attack the aerial system was put out of commission. To get another aerial to replace the damaged one would have involved a delay of days, so Sqn Ldr Lakhmir Singh set about repairing the system on the spot which he was able to do in day. The location of the unit having become known, the enemy efforts to destroy it and thus deprive us of our ability to keep track of his activity, increased. To prevent the unit from being permanently put out, Sqn Ldr Lakhmir Singh had to survey another site to which the unit could be moved. The move had to begin and complete at night so that the enemy would be ignorant about its new location and the unit would go on the air again by the morning. This was accomplished and the unit continued to give efficient cover in its new location until cease fire.

Throughout the period of operations, Sqn Ldr Lakhmir Singh displayed a high sense of duty, resourcefulness and skill. His ceaseless effort to keep the unit functioning at full efficiency was an example which his subordinate emulated.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh was com missioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. At the time of outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he served with Signals Unit.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh has been responsible for the successful development and fabrication of special electronic equipment for use in a bomber aircraft.

During October and November, 1971, Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh was given the task of fabricating these special electronic equipment in quantity. With his drive, initiative and important substitution, he was able to complete this in record time. He also installed these sets in operational aircraft so that these were available for use during the Indo-Pak operations of December, 1971, thereby greatly increasing the operational capability of the aircraft. Throughout opera tions, he worked with the operational squadrons, briefing and debriefing the air crew on the use of these special electronic equipment.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh displayed technical skill, initiative, leadership and devotion to duty and rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.