During the operation against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Partha Das Gupta was serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. He flew 19 operational missions out of which twelve were flown deep into enemy territory. On the 5th December 1971, while flying as Number Two on a dawn tactical reconnaissance and strike mission in Chistian Mandi - Bahawal Nagar area he spotted a train carrying tanks near Chistian Mandi. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire he attacked the train twice and destroyed three tanks. Again while flying as Number Two in a strike mission to Multan he destroyed a huge oil dump at Multan and returned to base with a marginal endurance of three minutes. He carried out all his missions to the ultimate limits of endurance.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Partha Das Gupta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.