During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Chuhar Singh Kanwar, a senior pilot of a Helicopter Unit, carried out fifteen offensive sorties against the infiltrators which were very effective and of immense help to the troops engaged in the mopping up operations. He carried out forty five logistic sorties and twenty casualty evacuation sorties in a period of thirty six days. He operated from quickly fabricated helipads, right behind the line of actual control and carried out four trial landings at these helipads. By evacuating casualties from the most forward areas, he saved many valuable lives. His supply missions were a life line for the troops fighting in difficult terrain. He operated from an airfield which was under constant threat of enemy air raids without warning.

On 13th September, 1965, during an air raid, a helicopter was badly damaged. The engineering staff carried out some repairs; but there were a number of navigational and functional limitations. Flight Lieutenant Kanwar volunteered to air test the aircraft and finally ferried it to a safer airfield and saved it from further damage from enemy action.

On 22nd September, 1965, when Flight Lieutenant Kanwar landed at an improvised helipad with ammunition and essential supplies, the enemy started shelling the helipad. The officer unloaded the supplies undaunted by enemy shelling. With courage and presence of mind he took off quickly and brought the aircraft and aircrew safely to base.

Flight Lieutenant Chuhar Singh Kanwar displayed flying skill and devotion to duty of a very high order which were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.