On 27th November, 1955, Lt. B. Ahuja who was at Mechukha suddenly fell ill. The condition of the officer became very serious and, because of the primitive surface communications in that area his transfer to a hospital was considered possible only by air. Mechukha lies at an altitude of 6,400 ft. above sea level in the mountainous SIANG Division of the North East Frontier Agency. The only available stretch of open ground was a narrow, rough and undulating clearing of approximately 80 yards lying deep in a valley. It was obvious that a landing at this place would be fraught with danger but Flt. Lt. Brian Joseph Cannel had no hesitation in volunteering for this hazardous task.

On the morning of 27th November, 1955, Flt. Lt. Cannel left in an Auster aircraft for Mechukha and, after carrying out a difficult landing, had the patient placed in the aircraft. Flt. Lt. Cannel now faced the most difficult part of the rescue operation. He fully appreciated the fact that the take-off run was extremely short particularly as he was carrying heavy load for his light aircraft and operating from a high altitude. On his first take-off run he realised that he had failed to build up sufficient flying speed and immediately abandoned the attempt. He pushed the aircraft back to the take-off point with the aids of local tribesmen who also helped in clearing and levelling the ground further. On his second attempt he again realized that possibility of the aircraft not getting airborne in time, but acting with firm determination, although the under carriage of his aircraft struck a ditch beyond the small strip, he managed to get airborne by skilful piloting. He then flew back to base and landed safely with the patient who was immediately transferred to a hospital.

Such acts of courage and disregard of personal danger to save others are in the best traditions of the I. A. F.

During the operations in the Naga Hills in October, 1956, the I. A. F. was assigned the task of dropping supplies in the two zones of Zekwera and Dzulake which were not only extremely small but difficult to approach since flying in the area was full of hazards due to the treacherous air currents at the dropping zones. As the operations could not be put off, Sqn. Ldr. Anderson volunteered to carry out the task. He flew four sorties between 19th and 25th October, 1956 and dropped the necessary supplies. The hazardous task was a trial of both courage and skill. The fact that the dropping zone had to be subsequently abandoned as being too dangerous for airdrops goes to show the extent risk that the officer had accepted and the determination that he displayed.

The gallant act of Sqn. Ldr. Anderson is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.

On 27th March, 1956, Naga hostiles overpowered a police outpost at Sathaka. The hostiles then attempted to take Sakahi – an Assam Rifles outpost – by capturing which they would have secured a chain of bases comprising of Sakhai, Khivi, Vishyepu and Kivikhu. They succeeded in putting a ring around Sakhai outpost and cutting off its sources of water supply. Late in the afternoon, the garrison asked for an emergency airdrop of water and warned that the pilot should be careful of heavy automatic fire from Sakahi, Khivi, Vishyepu and Kivikhu. Flt. Lt. Prakashanarain Jainarain Mehra volunteered for this airdrop which had to be made in the small fenced area of the Inspection Bungalow 40 yards by 20 yards. Completely disregarding the heavy automatic fire directed against the aircraft, Flt. Lt. Mehra flew dangerously low and delivered the water. The aircraft was hit in the petrol tank and in the starboard mainplane by the hostile fire, but Flt. Lt. Mehra brought it safely back.

In carrying out this sortie successfully, Flt. Lt. Mehra displayed courage and skill. He risked his own life for reaching essential supplies to the garrison. The gallant action on the part of Flt. Lt. Mehra is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.

Warrant Officer GA Paddington was the Flight Engineer in the crew of twin-engined I. A. F. plane which was conveying the Prime Minister and his party from Mangalore to Raipur on 26th February, 1957. After a flight of about an hour and a quarter Warrant Officer Paddington noticed discrepancies in the readings of the port engine instrument and kept a strict watch on that engine which soon caught fire. He informed the Pilot and took prompt and correct action to extinguish the fire thus contributing to the eventual safe landing of the plane.

Warrant Officer George Alfred Paddington's devotion to duty was thus very praiseworthy.

Originally 10835 Warrant Officer

A twin Pioneer aircraft of the Scottish aviation Company carrying two observers, one from the IAF and the other from the Indian Airlines Corporation, crashed at Jorhat while taking off on an evaluation flight at about 1510 hours on 10th March 1960. It caught fire and set ablaze the surrounding vegetation. Lascar Panikar who was near the spot rushed inside the aircraft and led Sqn Ldr Hedge, the IAF observer, to safety. He also attempted to rescue Captain Wasim Pina, the other observer, who was trapped inside the aircraft. Disregarding his personal safety, Lascar Panikar entered the burning aircraft three times and despite the burns and injuries which he sustained due to the explosion of the fuel tanks, eventually rescued Captain Wasim Pina with the aid of an Army Sepoy.

Lascar Panikar showed great courage and initiative in bringing these two persons out of the burning aircraft and his gallant and selfless act, in complete disregard of his own safety, was in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On 18th December, 1961, Flight Lieutenant Ramchandran was detailed to lead a section of two Vampires in close support of the ground forces in Diu. While flying over the area, he noticed a patrol boat heading towards an IN Ship which was about two miles from the shore. On his own initiative he decided to fly low to survey the patrol boat . When the boat as well as Diu fort opened heavy fire at his aircraft. Undeterred by the hostile fire, he attacked and blew up the patrol boat which was full of high explosives. During the attack his aircraft was damaged by hostile fire.

Flight lieutenant Ramachandran displayed courage and initiative of a high order.

Flight Armourer

On the night of 15th /16th September 1965, two aircraft with fuzed bombs in their bomb bays were involved in an accident on the runway of an airfield, as a result of which one of them caught fire. Some of the bombs exploded, others were scattered under the force of explosion and one of them was lodged in a very awkward position in the wing of an aircraft. The scattered bombs were lying on the edge of the runway and one of them had become highly dangerous owing to the heat of the burning wreckage. Normally, Bombs in this condition are demolished on the site, but to have done in this case would have caused further extensive damage. Unmindful of the risk involved, Flight Sergeant Vasudev Pallavaram volunteered to render the bombs safe. He accomplished this task successfully. Thereafter he also recovered the bomb which was lodged in the wing of the aircraft, defuzed it and made it harmless.

By his successful accomplishment of this hazardous task, willingly undertaken at grave personal risk, Flight Sergeant Vasudevan Pallavaram displayed cool courage and devotion to duty and set an example to his fellow Airmen.

On the night of 15th/16th September 1965, two aircraft with fuzed bombs inside their bomb bay were involved in an accident on the runway of an airfield, as a result of which one of them caught fire. Some of the bombs exploded, others were scattered under the force of explosion and one of them was lodged in a very awkward position in the wing of an aircraft. The scattered bombs were lying on the edge of the runway and one of them had become highly dangerous owing to the heat of the burning wreckage. Normally, a bomb in this condition is demolished on the site, but to have done so in this case would have caused further extensive damage. Unmindful of the risk involved, Flight Sergeant Lingha Ragaviah volunteered to render the bombs safe. He accomplished this task successfully. Thereafter he also recovered the bomb which was lodged in the wing of one of the aircraft, defuzed it and made it harmless.

By his successful accomplishment of this hazardous task, willingly undertaken at grave personal risk, Flight Sergeant Lingha Ragaviah displayed cool courage and devotion to duty and set an example to his fellow airmen.

Shri Amar Singh was employed by an Air Force Station in Jammu and Kashmir. In August-September, 1965, he moved from village to village and collected vital information about the whereabouts of the infiltrators. On more than one occasion Shri Amar Singh guided army patrols in their operations against the infiltrators. On the 7th September, 1965, when enemy aircraft raided the airfield, Shri Amar Singh rendered valuable service in retrieving arms and ammunition from the burning building in the armoury.

Shri Amar Singh displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty.

On 3rd March 1966, Aijal, the headquarters of Mizo District, was surrounded by hostiles and it became essential to rush reinforcements there. Despite the fact that the hostiles had taken up positions very close to Aijal helipad and all bridges had been destroyed, Flight Lieutenant Rajendra Narayan Pandeya led a force of helicopters to land troops knowing fully well that It would be an easy target for the hostiles' guns. On reaching Aijal, one of the helicopters was hit by hostile fire whereupon they were recalled to base. On the next day, he again took off and landed troops at Aijal which turned the tide of operations against the hostiles. Since then, he had been engaged in active flying in the sector airlifting troops and equipment and evacuating casualties and civilians.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rajendra Narayan Pandeya displayed courage and determination.

On 31st January 1967, the fuel in an aircraft caught fire during servicing operations. The airmen engaged in servicing raised an alarm and the fire fighting operations were immediately commenced. Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi joined the group of men trying to extinguish the fire and took a leading part. He climbed on the main-plane of the burning aircraft at great risk and directed the nozzle of the fire fighting hose Into the Plenum chamber. The timely action prevented the fire which further, otherwise would have engulfed and destroyed the whole aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi displayed courage and leadership.

On 3rd February 1967, two Flight Cadets were authorized to carry out circuits and landings in a Dakota aircraft at a Transport Training Wing. Sergeant Seni Desingh Devarajan, NCO in charge of the crash crew on duty, saw the aircraft swinging off the runway on its take off run. Anticipating a crash, he alerted his crew and reached the spot immediately. Both the engines of the aircraft had fallen off from the mountings and one of them which was on fire was very near the aircraft. Disregarding his personal safety, Sergeant Devarajan entered the crashed aircraft. The nose section was completely broken and both the flight cadets were trapped in their seats. With great care, he, with the help of another airman extricated the two cadets from the aircraft within minutes. His prompt action was to a large extent responsible for saving the life of one of the cadets; the other cadet succumbed to his injuries.

In this action, Sergeant Seni Deslngh Devarajan displayed cool courage and initiative.

On 17th February 1967, Flight Lieutenant Minoo Vania was on a paratrooping sortie, when he was informed by the Captain of the aircraft that a “hang up” had occurred in the aircraft flying ahead. He saw the dangling paratrooper released about 4.5 miles from the dropping zone. Apprehending that the paratrooper was probably injured by being buffeted against the aircraft fuselage and would sustain further Injuries during landing and would not get any immediate medical aid because of the inaccessible terrain, Flight Lieutenant Vania requested his Captain to drop him in that area. On landing by parachute, he found the paratrooper bleeding profusely from the right wrist where the hand had been completely severed. He managed to stop bleeding and nursed him till medical assistance became available after about 40 minutes. But for his timely help, the paratrooper would probably not have been saved.

Flight Lieutenant Minoo Vania displayed courage and Initiative.

On the 15th September, 1970, a fire broke out in the stores section of a Helicopter Unit. Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma, the unit Warrant Officer, immediately raised alarm and rushed to the scene of fire carrying two fire extinguishers. He found that the fire was spreading and that it could endanger the aircraft store rooms and the hangar in which the aircraft were parked. He fought the fire single handed, until reinforcement arrived. The flames were fierce and he suffered severe burns on his body. Though not a trained fire fighter, he continued fighting the fire with complete disregard to his personal safety, until overcome by heat, smoke and fumes, he collapsed. He was rescued by 229133 Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma. Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma's efforts succeeded in localizing the fire to only two rooms and enabled the two aircraft in the hangar and other valuable stores to be shifted to a place of safety.

On the 15th September, 1970 a fire broke out in the stores section of a Helicopter Unit. On hearing this Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma immediately ran to the scene of the fire. After rescuing Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma, who had collapsed due to heat, smoke and fumes, he started fighting the fire. Corporal Sharma, though not a trained fire fighter, continued fighting the fire in complete disregard of his personal safety. He suffered severe burns on his body and finally collapsed, where upon he was rescued by other personnel engaged in fighting the fire. Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma's efforts helped in localizing the fire to only two rooms. Two aircraft and other valuable stores were saved.

In this action, Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma displayed courage, determination and initiative of a high order.

On the 15th September, 1970, a fire broke out in the stores section of a helicopter unit. On hearing that the unit stores were on fire, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao, Cook immediately rushed to the scene of the fire carrying two fire extinguishers. He found that the fire had spread and was endangering the safety of the adjacent store rooms and the hangar in which the two aircrafts were parked. He immediately started fighting with the fire. Though the flames were fierce and he suffered sever burns on his body, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao continued fighting the fire with complete disregard to his personal safety until the regular fighting party took over. NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao's efforts help to localize the fire to only two rooms and enabled two aircrafts and other valuable stores to be shifted to a place of safety.

In this section, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao displayed courage, initiative and determination.

During the conflict with Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Gopal Krishan Arora was attached to a surface to Air Guided Weapons Squadron, for duties as a controller for guiding the Squadron to engage enemy aircraft. He set up the guided weapons Command Post in one day and fully interacted it with the local Air Defense system. He remained at his post throughout and efficiently guided the Squadron to engage any intruding enemy aircraft. His efforts culminated in the successful engagement of and enemy bomber aircraft while it was raiding the airfield. While still on duty he inadvertently stepped on a hidden explosive which had been dropped during an enemy raid and was killed.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Gopal Krishan Arora displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

On the night of 8th/9th December, 1971, one of our forward airfields was subjected to heavy bombing and straffing by enemy aircraft, resulting in the fire in the explosive storage. The fire spread at a fast rate and the whole dispersal area was lit. The pens and the buildings also became visible and were exposed to danger of enemy air attacks. In the meantime, the second air raid siren was also sounded. Unmindful of the risk involved Corporal Sarmukh Singh immediately volunteered to assist in putting out the fire. The task was accomplished successfully and the ammunition dump and dispersal were saved from the next enemy air raid.

In this action, Corporal Sarmukh Singh displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty.

On the night of 8th /9th December, 1971, one of our forward airfields was subjected to heavy bombing and staffing by enemy aircraft, resulting in the fire in the Rocket Dump. The fire spread at a fast rate and the whole dispersal area was lit. The pens and the buildings also became visible and were exposed to danger of enemy air attacks. In the meantime, the second air raid siren was also sounded. Unmindful of the risk involved, Leading Aircraftsman Omkar Singh immediately volunteered to assist in putting out the fire. The task was accomplished successfully and the ammunition dump and dispersal were saved from the next enemy air raid.

In this action, Leading Aircraftsman Omkar Singh displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty.

During the Indo-Pak Conflict of December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Virsa Singh Mall was employed as Technical Officer of a Fighter Bomber Squadron at one of our forward airfields. With his sustained hard work he ensured maximum serviceability and quick turn around of aircraft for operational requirements.

During the nights of the 9th and 10th December, 1971, the airfield was attacked by enemy aircraft thrice in quick succession and the bombs fell in the dispersal area; setting fire to the armament stores lying in a bunker and lighting up of the entire dispersal area. Though the air raid siren for the next attack was on, he with the help of few airmen extinguished the fire by pulling out the burning boxes and throwing loose earth over them thus saved the armament dump from destruction, in complete disregard to his personal safety.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Virsa Singh Mall displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.

Shri Apar Singh Cheema was Assistant Station Master at Gurdaspur Railway Station during Indo-Pak conflict of December, 1971. He was made responsible to coordinate low level reporting system in the area. Under his able guidance, 110 observation reports were sent between 3rd and 17th December, 1971. 90% of these reports were passed to the Control Centre within thirty seconds, twenty one of these were made at night and twelve out of these twenty one materialized into actual air raid over Pathankot. It was because of his alertness and dedication that Pathankot got timely warning of air raids.

On 12th December, 1971, Gurdaspur Railway Station was heavily bombed by five Sabre aircraft. Despite the bombing, Shri Apar Singh Cheema remained at his post and kept relaying the information to the Control Center.

On the 13th December, 1971, at about 1410 hours, he informed the Control Center that four enemy aircraft had been seen passing by. Immediately two aircraft were sent for interception and thus the enemy aircraft were prevented from continuing their attack on Gurdaspur.

Throughout, Shri Apar Singh Cheema displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

On 15th April, 1972, a major fire broke out in the dispersal area of a forward Air Force Base. On hearing the siren, Corporal Deol, who was staying far away from the base, was the first to arrive at the scene on his motor cycle. He found that the fire was fast approaching blast pens endangering the safety of aircraft and he decided to move the aircraft out. He located a tractor. As the ignition key was not available, he had the tractor started through his ingenuity. Corporal Deol got the tractor coupled with the aircraft nearest to the fire, the blast pen had already been surrounded by flames. Unmindful of his personal safety, he towed the aircraft out and thus saved it from destruction. He towed four more aircrafts out of other blast pens in the same manner. During these operations, he sustained injuries, but did not seek treatment until all the aircraft had been removed safety.

In this action, Corporal Gurdip Singh Deol displayed courage and determination of a high order.

On the 4th December, 1971, an aircraft fully loaded with armaments stores met with an accident on landing at a forward Air Force Base. The nose wheel of the aircraft had collapsed and the aircraft caught fire. In spite of the inherent danger of an explosion due to missiles and other armament stores being loaded on the aircraft, Corporal Jai Raj Vind undertook the hazardous task of putting out the fire. He did this successfully despite being in the close vicinity of the burning aircraft, with complete disregard of his personal safety. It was through his determined efforts that he succeeded in putting out the fire; he thereby saved the life of the pilot and also avoided the aircraft becoming a complete wreck.

The conspicuous courage, presence of mind and complete disregard for his personal safety displayed by Corporal Jai Rand Vind, were in the highest traditions of gallantry in the Indian Air Force.

On the 17th December, 1971, information was received at a forward Air Force Base that the enemy had bombed Bhatinda Railway Station as well as the nearby villages causing considerable damage to civil property and population. It was also reported that several bombs had not exploded. Naib Subedar Shingara Singh immediately rushed to the place with his men and after carrying out a thorough search of area, located seventeen unexploded bombs. Though fully aware that the bomb could have been fitted with delayed fuzes, he went with the diffusion of the bombs with complete disregard to his personal safety. In fact, one of the bombs did explode when he, along with his men, had just retired for lunch and later two bombs were found with the fuzing components having partly functioned. Undeterred, he successfully diffused all the bombs within 96 hours and thus infused confidence in the local population.

In this action, Naib Subedar Shingara Singh displayed courage and leadership of a high order.

On the night of 31st May, 1973, a Boeing 737 aircraft of Indian Airlines crashed near residential area of Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. At approximately 2150 hours that night, Flight Lieutenant Anil Kumar Dogra, who was passing by that way in his car, noticed a bright red glow in the area. Instinctively, he assumed that it was an air crash as the glow was in the approach funnel of Delhi airport. He immediately turned his car in the direction of the glow and drove in the total darkness over the rocky terrain until he could see the origin of the glow.

On reaching the scene of the crash, Flight Lieutenant Dogra found the wreckage of the burning aircraft was scattered over a large area. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he proceeded to extricate victims of the crash from the burning wreckage. He personally rescued eight out of seventeen survivors and moved them to a safe distance. Inspired by his example, some villagers who had collected at the site also began to help him. He then rushed three persons, who were in critical condition, to the Army Hospital, Delhi Cantonment in his car for timely medical aid. He immediately returned to the scent of the accident to help on evacuation of other victims. He thus took prompt action and saved the lives of many passengers.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Anil Kumar Dogra displayed gallantry and initiative of a high order.

On the 11th February, 1972, a Signal Unit located at a forward base in the Northern Sector suffered heavy snow-storm and blizzard for over 40 hours with a constant high wind speed of 120 knots. During the blizzard, four Jawans who were in their Command Post Bunker were cut off, and their bunker was completely covered with 8 to 10 feet snow. Despite all efforts, it was not possible to locate the bunker as the entire area was under snow to a depth greater than a man's height. Havildar Des Ram volunteered to make a further attempt to locate the Guard Post and rescue the Jawans. He gathered a team of other volunteers and arranged implements for digging snow. In the face continuing blizzard, he searched and probed for the bunker which he eventually located, after heroic efforts made till the next day, the 12th February, 1972, he succeeded in digging out the four Jawans who had been entombed in the bunker and saved their lives.

Havildar Des Ram thus displayed exemplary courage, determination and leadership of a high order.

On 27th April, 1972, Squadron Leader Tejwant Singh was detailed as a leader of a 2-aircraft low level escort formation to attack an airfield during an Exercise. At approximately 1800 hours, while flying at a speed of 840 kmph, a large bird struck aircraft. The right side of the canopy was shattered leaving a big gaping hole and Squadron Leader Tejwant Singh sustained injuries on his face, chest and shoulders. He was rendered temporarily blind in the right eye and was bleeding profusely. The canopy was forced partially open and the pilot's microphone was damaged. As a result he was unable to transmit the information about the damage to his aircraft and injuries. However by his determination and a high degree of flying skill, despite his injuries and partial blindness, he bravely tackled the situation and brought the aircraft back to base safely.

In this action, Squadron Leader Tejwant Singh displayed courage and professional skill of a high order.

On the night of 21st/22nd October, 1972, at 0130 hours, 221682 Sergeant Jagmal Singh, Photographer Mechanic, while carrying out security check of the camp, of a forward detachment of an operational Wing in the J&K, observed that the tents were collapsing under the weight of snow accumulating during heavy continuous snowfall. The occupants were asleep and quite were unaware of the dangerous situation. He realized that the slightest delay in rescue work would result in heavy casualties. Sergeant Jagmal Singh immediately apprised the Commanding Officer of the grave situation and went round the tents, scattered over a large area, waking-up the occupants and arranging their evacuation to a safe place. He arranged alternative security arrangements at places where guard posts had to be abandoned. While checking the evacuated personnel, he found that a lascar, Shri Mishra (Pass No. 47 S/65) was missing. He made another search and rescued Shri Mishra from an ice-laden tent.

Throughout, Sergeant Jagmal Singh displayed exemplary initiative and determination of a high order.

Squadron Leader Rajinder Pal Singh Dhillon (7741) was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1962. He has been serving as the Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit since March, 1974.

On the 24th January, 1975, he was detailed to carry out the earth quake relief operations in Himachal Pradesh. The weather on this day was extremely inclement and the hostile terrain made flying efforts an extremely hazardous. With a deep sense of devotion, relentless zeal and determination, he executed his task with true professionalism. Throughout that day he braved and battled against weather and terrain and delivered his vital loads of relief material and evacuated those in need of urgent medical attention. During subsequent missions, he executed daring landings at untried helipads and precision drops at miniature Dropping Zones. During these operations he flew a total of 32 stories and airlifted and large quantities of material which resulted in timely relief to the affected people.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Rajinder Pal Singh Dhillon displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

On the 25th February, 1975, Squadron Leader Manjit Singh Sekhon was doing night flying training in a helicopter. He was asked to carry out reconnaissance of the area West of an Airfield in Western Sector for a crashed aircraft. In spite of limited experience of night flying, he undertook this mission, carried out a search and confirmed an aircraft crash and reported its location. After refuelling, he got airborne again and located the pilot. With intelligent use of his landing light and Radio Telephony, he skillfully landed in a paddy field and rescued the first pilot and flew him back to base. He repeated the same performance and rescued the second pilot also.

In this action, Squadron Leader Manjit Singh Sekhon displayed exemplary courage, devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order.

Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata AFSO II has been on the posted strength of an operational Wing since March 1973. On 25th September 1975, when he was on Aircraft Crash Crew duty, an AN-12 aircraft landed with heavy smoke and fire in the crew cabin due to the electrical short circuit. Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata immediately followed the aircraft with the crash tender. As soon as the aircraft came to a halt, in complete disregard to his personal safety, rushed into the aircraft and started extinguishing fire. Although he felt suffocated due to heavy smoke, he did not lose courage and continued his endeavours to extinguish the fire and was ultimately able to bring the fire under control and thus saved a valuable and irreplaceable aircraft.

In this action, Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata displayed exemplary courage, initiative, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

On 29th October 19758, at about 2000 hours, 225695 Sergeant Sankaran Kutty Nair was proceeding towards the MES substation in the domestic camp of his base to find out the cause of the failure of electric power. As he was nearing the sub-station, he heard an explosion, and saw a flash coming out of the building and heard a cry for help. He rushed to the building and found that a man in flames was lying on the floor, near the entrance and that smoke was coming out of the building. In utter disregard to his personal safety, he entered the building and switched off the main switch. He then found that an MES employee was lying unconscious with his clothes in flames. Sergeant Nair put out the flames by rolling him on the ground and tearing off his clothes. He carried him to the Medical Inspection Room on his shoulders, where prompt first aid and subsequent treatment for second degree burns in Military Hospital saved the individual's life. Thus by presence of mind and quick action he saved a valuable life and expensive service equipment.

In this action, Sergeant Sankaran Kutty Nair displayed exemplary courage, great initiative and a high sense of public duty.

Squadron Leader Davinder Singh Sant (8157) was commissioned in the Flying Branch (Pilot) of the Indian Air Force in December, 1963. During his stay of about 13 years in various operational Squadrons he has flown a total of about 2000 hours and acquired the highest Instrument Rating on Supersonic Aircraft. On the 17th June, 1976 while imparting Dual combat instruction from the rear seat of a supersonic operational trainer aircraft, he was involved in an accident in which his aircraft sustained extensive damage leading to extreme control difficulty. This was further aggravated by the shattering of the both the front and rear canopies resulting in visual difficulties. The incapacitation of the pilot in front cockpit and complete loss of radio communication made the situation more grave. The dislodging of the drogue parachute from the front seat into the rear seat, partial control of flaps, failure of total main braking system and absence of the periscope made the safe recovery of the aircraft extremely difficult. Notwithstanding the sudden shock, he acted in a cool and a professional manner and recovered the severely damaged aircraft with an incapacitated pilot safely and thus saved a valuable life.

In this action, Squadron Leader Davinder Singh Sant displayed exemplary courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Kailash Singh Parihar (9071) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 25th December, 1964 and since then he has flown 2197 accident free hours on various Aircraft. In August, 1976, there were unprecedented floods in Loni River in Jodhpur District and a number of villages were isolated. The fury of the river did not permit plying of rescue boats. The Air Force was, therefore, called in aid of civil power to effect rescue of marooned villagers. Sqn Ldr Parihar volunteered to rescue the marooned villagers. On arrival at the village it was discovered that many houses in and around Lamba Village had been washed away and that sixty villagers had taken shelter on top of the village temple. The front portion of the temple had been washed away and it was feared that the rest of the building might collapse at any time endangering the lives of all the persons.

As it was not possible to land the helicopter on the temple top, Squadron Leader Parihar decided to effect the evacuation by directing the hovering helicopter from the temple top and simultaneously assisting these people to board. Knowing fully well that a slight slip might be fatal, he jumped on to the edge of the temple top from the helicopter which was hovering at a considerable height. Taking his position, he marshaled the hovering helicopters to correct positions near the temple roof one after the other. The helicopter made about 18 shuttle flight and evacuated all the 60 people.

In this action, Squadron Leader Kailash Singh Parihar displayed exemplary courage, professional skill, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Chandra Ghildiyal was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1964 and served as the Squadron Pilot. As a Flight Commander in an operational helicopter unit where he flew over 1650 hours while carrying out casualty evacuations, relief operations, and logistics support missions and flight of dignitary over hazardous terrain with great efficiency. He volunteered for the Flight Inspectors course in 1971-72 and on the basis of his performance and aptitude, he was selected for the Experimental Test Pilot's Course in France in 1974 which he completed with a high merit. He was posted to Air craft and Systems Testing Establishment in 1975. He took great interest in development and testing of fixed wing aircraft and regularly assisted in their flight testing. On 28th September, 1976 while assisting Sqn. Ldr Deepak Yadav in the conduct of a flight trial, the aircraft suffered structural failure leading to complete loss of control. Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Chandra Ghildiyal was killed in the ensuing crash thereby sacrificing his life in the cause of test flying.

Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Chandra Ghildiyal has thus displayed courage, determination and devotion to duty.

Due to unusually heavy rains on 24th and 25th November 1976, low lying areas of Madras city were inundated and a large number of citizens were marooned. On 25th November, 1976 Squadron Leader Shivacharan Singh Tomar of Air Force station Avadi was called upon to assist the civil police in the evacuation of marooned people. In the absence of any other satisfactory arrangement, he used some dinghies as make-shift boats. The extremely limited capacity of dinghies, the difficult conditions due to floods and incessant rains and the handicaps caused by the darkness in the evening did not deter Squadron Leader Tomar from undertaking the rescue operations. He ceaselessly continued the operations throughout day and night on 25th and 26th November 1976 and was able to rescue three hundred and sixty-seven persons.

In these operations, Squadron Leader Shivacharan Singh Tomar displayed great initiative, skill, courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Corporal Rishi Kesh Tiwari was enrolled in the Air Force in 1963. On the 10th December, 1976 at about 1900 hours, while going from his billet to his mess, he heard the sound of a gun-shot. He proceeded to the place from where the shot had been fired. He saw a Defense Security Corps sepoy with a rifle and heard him ordering four persons to stand in a line and subsequently firing one round which injured one of the four persons. He shouted at the sepoy and unmindful of his own safety, ran towards him to prevent him from firing him any more. Before he could reach him, the sepoy fired another round injuring one more person. Corporal Tiwari caught the sepoy from behind and pulled him down. He was immediately joined by the other two persons and the rifle was snatched away from him

In this action, Corporal Rishi Kesh Tiwari displayed exemplary courage, initiative, presence of mind and sense of public duty of a high order.

Corporal Ram Prasad, Aircraft Hand General Duties is in the Air Force since 18th May, 1975. On the night of 28th February, 1977, at about 2330 hrs, a fire broke out in the quarter of L/Nk LR Soni. L/Nk LR Soni was then away and his wife and three children were sleeping in the house. By the time Mrs. Soni discovered the fire, it had already assumed serious proportions and she ran out of the house to shout for help. Corporal Ram Prasad was the first to respond and by the time he reached the scene, the whole house was engulfed in flames and smoke. Smti. Soni was in a state of shock and was crying that her three small children were in the flaming house. Corporal Ram Prasad in utter disregard for his personal safety went thrice into the burning house and one by one brought out three children who were trapped inside.

In this action, Corporal Ram Prasad displayed exemplary courage, presence of mind, determination and a high sense of public duty.

On 15th October 1977, Squadron Leader Sidhu was ordered to evacuate Sir Edmund Hillary the leader of “Ocean to sky Expedition” who was lying critically ill at the base camp located at a height 17,5000 feet above Mean Sea Level. A veteran of many causality evacuation missions, Squadron Leader Sidhu could easily comprehend the gravity of the situation. He planned his mission immaculately, got airborne and spotted snow covered gorge on which Sir Edmund Hillary was perched, would make evacuation extremely hazardous. As he adroitly maneuvered the helicopter so that it was inches above the ground, loose and scattered snow started flying all around and caused a mini blizzard. Undeterred by this, he kept the helicopter stationery by maintaining a perfect hover, at the altitude 17,5000 feet till his copilot jumped down and helped Sir Edmund Hillary into the helicopter. In this action Squadron Leader Sukhmander Singh Sidhu displayed great courage, determination and professional skill of high order.

On the night of 28th/29th April, 1977, a defense Security Crops Jawan on sentry duty at technical area gate deserted his post with a service rifle, shot dead two DSC personnel in DSC Billet and took shelter behind double security fencing near the locked gate. All efforts to apprehend him failed. He took position near the gate and threatened to shoot any one who would approach him. When all efforts to apprehend him failed, Warrant Officer Raman Orderly Officer, was briefed by Commanding Officer, and he organized a party of armed airmen and DSC Jawans and surrounded the area where the alleged assassin was standing. Himself armed with service revolver, he gained entry into the technical area through barbed wire fencing and stealthily approached the culprit from behind. At great personal risk and by a clever move, he succeeded in disarming the DSC sentry and obtaining his surrender.

In this action, Warrant officer Ekambaram Raman displayed great courage, determination and devotion to duty of a very high order.

Flight Lieutenant Puthalath Kandy Raveendran was on attachment as under training Flight Engineer when he was detailed on a TU-124 aircraft to fly Prime Minister and other dignitaries from Delhi to Johrat, on the 4th November, 1977. While the aircraft was in the process of making an approach for landing, disaster struck and aircraft crashed about six kilometers from Jorhat airfield.

Flight Lieutenant Raveendran, who was sitting in a rear passenger cabin, immediately took stock of the situation and organized systematic evacuation of the dignitaries and other passengers from the aircraft. He helped them to leave the aircraft quickly and safely and guided them to a safe distance from the aircraft as the fire was seen around the starboard engine. Even though badly injured, he quickly walked to Air Force Station Jorhat in order to get the urgently needed medical and rescue facilities. This enabled the Station authorities to reach the scene of the accident, along with the medical aid, in the shortest possible time.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Puthalata Kandy Raveendran displayed courage, initiative and devotion to duty of a very high order.

Corporal Keshav Nath Upadhaya was on the posted strength of Air Headquarters Communication Squadron when he was detailed as ground crew on TU-124 aircraft carrying the Prime Minister and other dignitaries from Delhi to Jorhat on 4th November, 1977. The aircraft, in the process of making an approach for landing, crashed about six kilometers from Jorhat Airfield and all the aircrew members were killed.

Corporal Upadhaya sustained injuries during the accident; but he displayed outstanding initiative and exceptional presence of mind in the face of grave emergency in the dark night conditions. He reassured the passengers, and quickly opened the rear door of the aircraft and rendered valuable assistance to the passengers in leaving the crashed aircraft quickly. Along with others, he guided the Prime Minister and other passengers to safety. Notwithstanding his personal injuries, he went back to phy sically assist some of the seriously injured passengers to reach a safe location. After ensuring that all passengers were safe and in total disregard to personal safety and comfort he went back to crashed aircraft and searched for the aircrew members. Corporal Upadhaya helped in locating the bodies and assisted in extricating them from the wreckage. Thereafter, he accompanied Flight Lieutenant Raveendran on foot to Air Force Station, Johrat and guided the rescue party back to the scene of the accident.

In this action, Corporal Keshav Nath Upadhaya displayed exemplary courage, presence of mind and devotion to duty of an exceptional order with total disregard to his personal safety and comfort in spite of his own injuries, in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On 4th Apr 1978, Flying Officer Sudhir Kumar Sinha got airborne in a supersonic aircraft on a training flight. Approximately thirty minutes after take off and about 120 nautical miles away from base, his aircraft had a total electrical failure. His very high Frequency Radio/Telephony sets suddenly faded out and within a couple of minutes all other electrical services ceased to function. He was thus left without Radio/Telephony contact or any navigational aids over desert terrain, which had very few land marks, he calculated his course back to base and headed back with the help of the standby compass which was the only direction indicating instrument available to him. The electrical failure also made it impossible for him to use the entire contents of the auxiliary fuel tank and the fuel gauges were inoperative. He, therefore, had to land back at base in the shortest possible time. His electrical trimmer systems were also inoperative and he had to prepare himself for landing out of trim with a forward centre of gravity configuration.

On his return to base, Flying officer Sinha lowered his undercarriage in preparation for landing and found that his nose wheel cocked to one side. With full knowledge of the disastrous consequences which could result on landing with a cocked nose wheel, Flying Officer Sinha elected to go ahead and brought the aircraft under control immediately after touchdown. He thus saved a valuable aircraft which would otherwise have been lost.

In this action, Flying Officer Sudhir Kumar Sinha displayed great courage, determination and professional skill of a very high order.

Squadron Leader Francis John Williams was engaged in the flood relief operations in West Bengal when, on 3rd September, 1978, he received information that a marooned family was perched on top of a thatched hut surrounded by swirling water of river Kasai. A portion of the hut had already collapsed and, due to its continuous lashing by the waters of flooded river, the lives of the members of the family were in danger and their evacuation was necessary. This was a hazardous task as there was water and trees around the hut. However, he reached the area in a float modified Chetak helicopter. He went down on a float and hung himself against the 'step'. He pulled out the winch cable and threw it to the bewildered people. Explaining in sign language and with the help of an inflated tube, he pulled in eight emaciated individuals, including seven babies, in the first attempt. The helicopter repeated the mission three times to carry out the recovery of all twenty one trapped people.

In this action, Squadron Leader Francis John Williams displayed great courage, determination and professional skill of a very high order.

On the 6th December, 1977, Corporal Vishwanath Sharma, who was returning to his unit after expiry of his Casual Leave, had to break his journey at Delhi Railway Station to catch a connecting train to Jodhpur. At about 1430 hours on that day, Sergeant Mange Ram of Air Force Station, Jodhpur, was passing through Company Bagh, opposite Delhi Railway Station, happened to notice two persons trying to pick the pocket of a person sleeping in the Company Bagh. On being challenged, both of them attacked Sergeant Mange Ram and pushed him into the hedge. Corporal Sharma, who happened to be there, rushed to his help. The Criminals, who tried to run away, were given hot chase by Corporal Sharma and Sergeant Mange Ram. One of the culprits named Gurdeep, whipped out a dagger and stabbed Corporal Sharma in the stomach. Corporal Sharma was immediately rushed to Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital by Sergeant Mange Ram and later to Military Hospital, Delhi Cantonment for intensive care on 17th December, 1977, where he succumbed to his injuries, the next day. The criminals were later nabbed by the police.

In this action, Corporal Vishwanath Sharma displayed exemplary courage, high sense of comradeship and undaunted determination.

An aircraft was lost in October, 1967 in Kulkila Glacier area of Lahul-Spiti at the height of 15,000 and 18,000 feet. In October, 1978, Squadron Leader Puran Chandra Singh Rautela, VSM, volunteered to undertake the expedition to locate the wreckage and the body of the pilot. Despite adverse weather conditions, he undertook the journey as snow would have obliterated the traces of wreckage. On the way he saved the life of a Japanese tourist suffering from acute pulmonary edema at a height of 13,000 feet by offering him the limited oxygen available to the team. Though deserted by the majority of porters, he continued to lead the expedition under dangerous weather conditions with temperature at -30°C and wind speed of 50 knots. During the course of operation, on one occasion, he was buried to the neck-deep in loose snow. Inspite of this, he inspired confidence in the members of his team through personal example and carried on the expedition and ultimately discovered the wreckage of the aircraft lost nearly 11 years ago and carried the wreckage back to the base.

In this action, Squadron Leader Puran Chandra Singh Rautela displayed exemplary courage, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

On 25th October, 78, a labourer Shri Mithoo Lal was buried alive approximately at a depth of 30 feet in a well of the Sewage Disposal System, under construction in the New Project Area of Air Force Station, Agra. No one was willing to undertake rescue operation for fear of being trapped as well. At about 1430 hours when Squadron Leader Jagat Narain Shukla learnt about the disaster, he rushed to the scene of the accident and informed Police and Fire Brigade. These agencies arrived promptly, but as the cave in was about 20' and the exact position where the labourer was buried, was not known, none was prepared to enter the well.

Realising the situation, Squadron Leader Shukla himself jumped into the pit and commenced rescue operations. On seeing his example some other labourers joined the rescue and Shri Mithoo Lal was rescued after four hours' effort.

The selfless act of courageous at the peril of his own life and hard struggle in hostile environment was at display at its finest and resulted saving of a human life, the life of a poor civil laborer, Shri Mithoo Lal.

In this action, Squadron Leader Jagat Narain Shukla displayed initiative, courage and determination of a very high order.

On the 24th January, 1979, Squadron Leader David Joseph Achates Defigueiredo was participating in a seven aircraft Republic Day Fly-past rehearsal formation. On completion of the rehearsal he rejoined circuit. As he commenced a descending turn to the left, a hydraulic malfunction occurred in the control circuit to the ailerons. The rate of roll to the left suddenly increased and Squadron Leader David Defigueiredo found that the control stick had jammed and could not be centralized. As the aircraft rolled on to its back the nose dropped into a spiraling descent. In such an uncontrollable situation, so close to the ground, the immediate, and entirely correct, reaction of most pilots would be to abandon the aircraft while adequate height was available. However, without losing his presence of mind, he continued to apply various corrective measures in order to save the precious aircraft. Finally, he could pull the aircraft out of its dive barely 600 ft. above ground level and brought it safely back to the base.

In this action, Squadron Leader David Defigueiredo displayed courage and determination, professional competence and devotion to duty of a high order.

During March, 1979, Lahul and Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh were subjected to heavy snowfall and avalanches which had disrupted all traffic to and from the valley and had considerable loss to life and property of the inhabitants. Squadron Leader Gulzarinder Singh Braich was detailed to undertake relief supply missions in the area. Undeterred by the adverse weather conditions and the consequent flying hazards, he flew eight sorties with 6,700 kilograms of supplies for the affected people.

Squadron Leader Gulzarinder Singh Braich thus displayed courage, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

On 26th March 1979, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh was engaged in Ladakh. The dropping zone was located in a narrow valley surrounded by high ranging hills. The operation involved constant manoeuvring of the aircraft every close to the hills. During a critical turn at an altitude of about 13,000 feet, his aircraft developed an engine failure and started losing height and power rapidly. Squadron Leader Narinder Singh skillfully manoeuvred his aircraft and diverted it to advance landing ground at a distance of about 45 kilometers from the dropping zone and effected a safe landing with the help of only one engine. Squadron Leader Narinder Singh not only saved a valuable aircraft but ensured delivery of urgently required rations at the destination.

In this action, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh displayed professional skill, courage, determination and devotion to duty of a very high order.