Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain was posted with a Helicopter Unit since 19 Dec 94. He was a disciplined and devoted officer of Indian Air Force. During the month of August 1996 Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain was on detachment to carry out air maintenance in OP Meghdoot area. During this period enemy had redeployed the forces in Southern glacier Area and had established new Bunkers at commanding positions directly threatening Indian Army Posts. Accessibility to our posts had also become extremely difficult since helicopter route to the post was under the enemy's constant watch and threat. It was a matter of great concern, since our post could not be air maintained under the circumstances. Withdrawing our forces was considered against the interest of National Security.

It was therefore decided to launch a few dedicated air maintenance stories to maintain crucial posts at Hoshiyar. Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain was detailed Captain of these special missions. He was thoroughly briefed about the risk involved. Notwithstanding the risk, dedicated crew under the Command of Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain undertook the challenging task bravely and intelligently. Two such missions were carried out successfully in spite of enemy's interference. During the third sortie on 26 Aug 96 after the load was dropped helicopter was engaged by the enemy ground forces and shot down killing Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain and his crew.

Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain showed exemplary courage and dedication by undertaking extremely difficult task in the face of known enemy threat and made ultimate sacrifice for the national interest.

Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Khajuria was commissioned in the IAF in September 1989. He is presently posted at a signal Unit in Air Force.

On the night of 2nd March, 1993, while he was working in GCA, from the conversations of the controllers on the duty he learned that an aircraft piloted by Fg Offr SS Chouhan (20996) F(P) had crashed–landed on the side of the runway. He immediately set out for the crash landing site. On reaching the site, which took him about 10 minutes, he observed that fire fighting was in progress and the pilot was still in the cockpit with canopy closed. Notwithstanding the risk of his personal life, he advanced to the canopy to rescue the pilot. The men who were only waiting for such daring leadership also ignored the risk of being engulfed by the fire and joined him in rescuing the pilot who was in unconscious state. The aircraft fuel tank exploded immediately following the rescue.

Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Khajuria, thus, ignoring personal safety appropriate leadership at the time of a crisis saved a life.

Pilot Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat was on the posted strength of 130 Helicopter unit since 22 Jul 96 till 26 Aug 96, when he laid down his life for the country.

Pilot Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat was detailed as a co-pilot for crucial air-maintenance sorties in Op-Meghdoot area during the month of Aug 1996 when enemy had redeployed forces threatening out posts in the area. On 26 Aug 96, a special sortie was undertaken in Mi-17 Helicopter to Hoshiyar post on the Southern Glacier. The post was threatened by enemy fire but air maintenance was planned to drop essential supplies to maintain our troops. After the load was dropped, the helicopter was engaged by enemy ground fire and shot down killing all the occupants.

Pilot Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat displayed exhibiting bravery, courage and devotion to his duty of the highest order and laid down his life for the country in the true tradition of the Indian Air Force.