Flight Lieutenant Kambiranda Muthanna Ponnappa has been operating with transport units in J & K area since 1955, and has flown a total of about 700 operational hours in this area. He was one of the pilots who flew out heavy and cumbersome engineer stores and vehicles to the forward areas. He carried out 25 such missions successfully. As these loads were not capable of ejection in the air, each landing sortie was fraught with grave danger. He also carried out about 250 supply dropping sorties in that area.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ponnappa has displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant John Albert Ratnam Balraj was operating in a Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron in NEFA and NHTA area during 1961/62. He established a highly commendable fighter reconnaissance and ground attack record in operation "Raji" in spite of LMG fire from Naga hostiles. He also spotted two hostile Naga camps in that area and acted as the pathfinder aircraft.

Besides his 45 sorties in operation "Raji", he did 28 sorties in NEFA sector on reconnaissance missions. In another operation he carried out two vital reconnaissance missions around Dhola post.

Flight Lieutenant Balraj displayed courage, leadership and determination in the discharge of his duties.

Flight Lieutenant Martins was serving with a transport squadron operating in NEFA. During the different phases of the battle of Walong, the vital supplies required by the piquets and retreating columns had to be supplied by airdrops. Flight Lieutenant Martins carried out numerous sorties over hazardous and unmapped areas for this purpose. In spite of the danger of anti-aircraft fire from the encircling Chinese troops, he always volunteered to undertake these missions, in complete disregard of his personal safety.

Flight Lieutenant Martins displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Austin Lester Mendanha has been operating with a transport squadron in Jammu & Kashmir area since July 1959. He has carried out about 1400 hours of operational flying on supply-dropping and transport operations. He has also carried out proving flights to our most difficult and advance landing grounds in this area.

On the 28th October, 1962, when the weather was very bad and it was snowing all around Saserbarangazer area, Flt Lt Mendanha in complete disregard of his personal safety, successfully carried out airdrops of vital supplies to our forward posts. Flying as many as 100 hours in a month.,

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Mendanha has displayed courage, devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Priya Dev Kaura was on his second operational tour in Ladakh are,a after having completed the first one in NEFA. Out of a total of about 1400 hours on air transport operations, he had flown about 1200 hours in Ladakh area. In spite of the hazards of flying over difficult and mountainous terrain, and the fact that the aircraft were being operated to the maximum limits, he always volunteered for these difficult operational missions allotted to his Squadron. During the recent Chinese attack on our northern borders, he flew more than 110 hours in one month.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Kaura set a fine example of courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Umesh Kumar Ahuja has been on his fourth operational tour since April 1961, in Jammu and Kahsmir area. In addition to about 70 hours of flying in NEFA area, he has flown about 1300 hours on air transport operations in Ladakh area. During the recent Chinese attack on our northern borders, he flew more than 100 hours in a month. By hard work and skilful handling of his aircraft, he has inspired his colleagues and thus contributed to the high standard of operational efficiency of his unit.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ahula displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Verinder Puri has been serving in Jammu and Kashmir area since March, 1960, and has so far carried out more than 1000 hours of operational flying in Ladakh including more than 100 hours of operational flying in one month. On 20th October 1962, in the face of extremely bad and turbulent weather conditions near Saserbarangazer, he successfully airdropped essential stores over one of the most difficult dropping zones in this area.

Flight Lieutenant Puri has displayed determination, courage and professional skill of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Nanakkal Narayanan Amrithalingam has been operating as Signals Leader in one of our transport squadrons in J & K area since 1959. He has flown a total of about 1300 operational hours in this area. Undeterred by the hazards involved in the mountainous terrain, he has always volunteered for any difficult mission assigned to his squadron. With his professional ability and enthusiasm, he succeeded in raising the standard of communication in his Squadron to a high degree of efficiency.

On 26th October, 1962, while on a vital supply-dropping mission. The wireless sets in his aircraft became faulty and communications with the control center became impossible. Realizing the importance of his mission, he got down to the rectification of the defects and succeeded in re-establishing communication with the base. But for his presence of mind, the mission might have had to be abandoned and the airlift of the vital supplies to the forward dropping zone would have been delayed.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Amrithalingam displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flying Officer Harpal Singh Bedi has been operating with a transport Squadron in Jammu and Kashmir area since 1959. Though relatively junior in service, he has to his credit about 1100 hours of operational flying. During the operations occasioned by the recent Chinese aggression on our northern borders, he flew as many as 100 hours in one month on air transport operations.

Flying Officer Bedi carried out all tasks assigned to him efficiently and displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Warrant Officer Kaur Singh Gill [Signaller (Air)] has been operating as a senior Signaller (Air) in a heavy transport squadron since 1955 in NEFA and Jammu and Kashmir areas. During the Chinese invasion of Ladakh, he carried out sustained and regular operational flying of seven to eight hours a day and undertook many difficult missions to forward landing grounds and dropping zones in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In complete disregard of his personal safety, he always volunteered for difficult and dangerous missions.

Throughout, Warrant Officer Gill ahs displayed courage and professional skill of a high order.

Warrant Officer Rachpal Singh [Flt Gunner] has served in Jammu and Kashmir area with a transport Squadron as a Flight Engineer Leader. He has managed his section so commendably that in spite of shortage of manpower, no aircraft has had to be grounded. He always volunteered to fly whenever a flight engineer was needed. During the operations occasioned by the Chinese aggression on our northern border, he flew seven to eight hours a day in aircraft engaged in supply - dropping operations over difficult advanced landing grounds and dropping zones. He was a source of inspiration to other aircrew.

Warrant Officer Rachpal Singh showed professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Warrant Officer Surat Singh Yadav [Flt Engineer] has been operating as a Flight Engineer Leader of a heavy transport Squadron in Jammu and Kashmir area. After the declaration of the emergency, he sometimes flew as many as seven hours a day and completed ten landing sorties at Daulet Beg Oldi, in addition to several other missions which carried him over dropping zones in areas under enemy attack. Being a very experienced fitter in the Jet modified Packet aircraft, he was always in great demand for such assignments. On more than one occasion, with his exceptional professional knowledge, he was able to rectify defects while in the air.

Warrant Officer Surat Singh Yadav always volunteered for difficult missions nad thus set a fine example of dedication to duty, courage and enthusiasm to his men.

Warrant Officer Jagannath Banerjee [Signaller (Air)] has been operating in NEFA, NHTA and Jammu and Kashmir areas for a long period. During the Chinese invasion of Ladakh, he worked fourteen hours a day, including six to eight hours of flying. He undertook several missions to forward landing grounds under enemy attack. In complete disregard of his personal safety, he always volunteered for hazardous missions and set a fine example to his colleagues and was source of inspiration ot them. Throughout, Warrant Officer Jagannath Banerjee displayed courage and devotion to duty.

On 10th September, 1965, a formation of Mystere aircraft took off for an operational mission on the western border. When the formation reached the target area, a large numbers of enemy tanks were spotted and intensive barrage of anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite a concentrated barrage and against heavy odds, Squadron Leader Patrick Russel Earle led the formation to engage the enemy. When two aircraft of the formation had to abandon the attack because they were too close to turn in, Squadron Leader Earle and his No. 2 orbited at low height to provide cover for the second attack. While doing so, Squadron Leader Earle's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and there was a hole of about 4 in diameter in the center of the fuselage. The aircraft caught fire and the hole enlarged to about 12 in diameter. Despite this, Squadron Leader Earle did not bale out but brought back the aircraft to base safely, with the fire warning light on all the time.

Squadron Leader Patrick Russel Earle displayed courage and professional skill.

Squadron Leader Arvind Dalaya has been commanding a Helicopter Unit operating in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh area since December, 1963. He was given the task of forming a new unit, with only a couple of trained aircrew and technicians. He also had to undertake major commitments in the area, since his was the only Helicopter Unit there. He successfully completed all the commitments assigned to him and also raised the operational standard of the unit.

In June, 1964, he was asked to evacuate casualties among members of Nanda Devi expedition. He personally flew the helicopter and successfully evacuated the casualties.

In June, 1965, when one of the helicopters of his unit had force-landed at a height of 15,000ft. in the Karakoram mountains, he led a team of technicians to the scene of accident and retrieved the damaged helicopter after changing its engine.

During the recent operations against Pakistan in Sialkot sector, he led sorties in the forward areas to bring back our Army battle casualties in spite of enemy aircraft activities in the vicinity. Squadron Leader Arvind Dalaya has set a fine example of leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Bhagat Singh Bakhshi took over as officer in charge of a helicopter detachment drawn from three units. The detachment carried out 567 sorties and flew 433 hours within a period of thirty six days from 18th August, 1965 to 22nd September, 1965.

The aircraft operated immediately behind the lines carrying out supply-dropping, bombing and strafing. They evacuated eight hundred and thirty two casualties. They dropped a large number of bombs and fired many rounds of ammunition and conveyed large quantities of ammunition and supplies. This was a vital help to our advancing forces to sustain the newly captured picquets in Jammu and Kashmir.

On 31st August, 1965, Squadron Leader Bakhshi carried out three offensive sorties against the infiltrators, flying at low-levels while attacking the targets. He also carried out thirty logistic sorties and thirteen sorties to evacuate the casualties from quickly fabricated helipads within the range of enemy fire. These sorties were flown from an airfield which was under constant threat of enemy air raid without any warning. Undeterred by such grave dangers, the officer accomplished his difficulty tasks with great determination and zeal and displayed a high degree of professional skill and ability which were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On 10th September, 1965, Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Khanna took off from Halwara as No. 4 in a formation of four Gnat aircraft to provide air cover to two Canberra sections on a bombing mission in enemy territory. All went according to plan and first Canberra was escorted to its target in the Kasur area and brought back safely. A rendezvous with the second section was made the four Gnats again proceeded to the target area.

As the two Canberra dropped their bombs, two enemy aircraft were reported. Just then Squadron Leader Khanna noticed that there was malfunction in the fuel system and his low level fuel warning light indicated that, at the height and speed, at which he was flying, he had little over 3 minutes fuel in the aircraft. The nearest landing ground was nearly eighty miles away.

Not wishing to divide the formation leader's attention between protection of Canberra and his own emergency, Squadron Leader Khanna decided not to inform the leader of his plight. Only when the Canberras had been escorted to the safety of own territory did Squadron Leader Khanna call out his emergency.

He then took a timely and bold decision to gain altitude and switch off the engine to conserve the remaining fuel. Thereafter, he glided towards Halwara and re-lighted the engine of circuit. As he was turning finals to land, his engine flamed out for lack of fuel but he carried out a successful landing.

Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Khanna displayed a sense of duty and discipline which were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

In September, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Wishnu Mitter Sondhi was sub-section leader in the second formation of Vampires that struck the enemy in the armour in Chhamb Sector. Fully aware that the first section was jumped by an enemy F-86 formation, he kept a sharp look out for the enemy aircraft even when attacking the enemy armour with rockets. Undaunted by the presence of the enemy aircraft of superior performance, he delivered his rockets against the enemy tanks. He sighted a formation of F-86 and registered several hits on it. Meanwhile his wingman warned him of other F-86s closing in astern and Flight Lieutenant Wishnu Mitter Sondhi had to break off to avoid being hit. His wingman was shot down and he alone of his section fought his way back to base. His cool courage and flying skills were in the best traditions of the Air Force.

During the operation against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant John Leo Dweltz, Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit, flew twenty five offensive, thirty six logistic, twelve casualty evacuation and four reconnaissance sorties within a period of thirty six days. He operated from improvised helipads in difficult terrain with utter disregard to his personal safety. By casualty evacuation, he saved many valuable lives. His supply dropping missions helped to maintain newly occupied picquets. He continued to operate form helipads within the enemy's shelling range and under constant threat of enemy air raids on his airfield without warning.

On 11th September, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Dweltz was detailed to attack a strong hold of infiltrators at Raman Nallah. While he was bombing and strafing the enemy bunkers in a narrow valley, the infiltrators started firing at his aircraft with small arm fire. Undeterred by the enemy fire, he carried out his mission with determination.

On 15th September, 1965, the army report ed strong enemy pressure on some of our posts in Tithwal area and wanted the Air Force to destroy a rope bridge over the Kishan Ganga. The bridge ran through a narrow valley and the area was occupied by Pakistani infiltrators. Flight Lieutenant Dweltz made three runs over the bridge and dropped forty eight bombs on the target. He set fire to both ends of the bridge and caused damage to its center portion, thus severing the lines of communication of the enemy and relieving pressure on the picquets.

Flying Officer Amarjit Singh Gill was one of a small number of pilots who were sent into Chhamb sector to provide air cover to our troops and establish air superiority. Unmindful of personal safety, he flew repeated missions in the area and engaged the enemy on a number of occasions. On 3rd September, 1965, he was engaged by Pakistani Sabres and a F-104, which fired air-to-air missiles.

Flight Lieutenant Subhash Madanmohan Hundiwala has been a helicopter pilot in Ladakh since November, 1963. Since then he has flown 430 hours on operational sorties in that area. In spite of hazards of flying over difficult and mountainous terrain of Ladakh, he has always volunteered for difficult missions allotted to the unit.

On 18th May, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Hundiwala undertook four sorties in adverse weather conditions to evacuate Army casualties from Kargil.

On 28th May, 1965, while on a sortie to evacuate a serious casualty from a place in the Karakoram ranges, he experienced an engine flame out of the engine; yet skillfully handling the helicopter, he successfully carried out a force landing on a helipad located at a height of 15,000 feet. Throughout the tenure of his duties in Ladakh, this officer has carried out difficult missions assigned to him and has displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty which are in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Lalit Kumar Dutta, a senior pilot of a Helicopter Unit, carried out eighty one sorties and flew fifty seven hours under very adverse conditions and from quickly improvised helipads, just behind our advancing troops and within the range of enemy's small arms fire.

At a great personal risk, Flight Lieutenant Lalit Kumar Dutta carried out eighteen offensive sorties, bombing and straffing strongholds of infiltrators effectively. He flew twenty five sorties evacuating sick and wounded soldiers, thus many saving valuable lives. He also flew thirty sorties to convey ammunition and essential supplies for sustaining the forward picquets. He operated from an airfield which was under constant threat of enemy air raids without warning.

Flight Lieutenant Lalit Kumar Dutta has displayed a great sense of responsibility, courage and devotion to duty which are in the best tradition of the Indian Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Ranjit Kumar Malhotra has been flying Aloutte III Helicopters in Ladakh since June 1964 and has flown about 400 hours in Ladakh and other areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite difficult and mountainous terrain he has always volunteered for difficult operational missions and set a fine example to his colleagues.

In May and June, 1965, in adverse weather conditions, he undertook twelve sorties to Kargil for the purpose of evacuating army casualties. Again on 14th August, 1965, he undertook two sorties to evacuate army battle casualties from Naugam in Srinagar valley. During these sorties, he had to land at a place which was encircled by Pakistani infiltrators. They fired at him after he had landed; but with cool courage and presence of mind, he successfully evacuated the casualties from the encircled area. The courage and devotion displayed by him were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

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.

Soon after commencement of operations against Pakistan, Flying Officer Dilip Kamalakar Parulkar volunteered for operational duties and was attached to a fighter squadron. On his first mission, where he reached the target area, he met very heavy ground fire. With complete disregard to his personal safety, he went in to attack the ground target. During this attack, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and a bullet pierced the aircraft and injured his right shoulder. He informed the leader that his right arm has been disabled and that he was dropping out of disengagement. The leader advised him to eject himself if he found difficult to fly than lose his valuable life. He flew it back to base with his left hand and landed and made a successful landing.

Flying Officer Dilip Kamalakar Parulkar showed commendable courage, skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Premananda Goswami, Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit, flew seventy sorties in a period of thirty six days and completed sixty one hours of flying. He flew twelve casualty evacuation sorties from quickly improvised helipads, just behind our advancing troops and within the range of enemy shells. The hilly terrain was very difficult and treacherous for helicopter operations. Undeterred by these difficulties and dangers, he carried out his mercy missions and saved many valuable lives. He also undertook sixty logistic sorties supplying and dropping ammunition and rations to forward posts at great personal risk. He operated from an airfield which was under constant threat of enemy air raids without warning.

On 22nd September, 1965, he landed at an improvised helipad with ammunition and supplies to sustain the picquet. The enemy started shelling the post. With courage and presence of mind, he took off while the other aircraft was still unloading. Disregarding his own safely, he circled near the enemy positions to divert the fire and attention of the enemy to his own aircraft, in order to give time to the other aircraft to unload its cargo and save it from destruction.

Flight Lieutenant Premananda Goswami displayed courage, determination and comradeship which were in the best tradition of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh took over command of the fighter Squadron of MIG-21 on its formation in March 1963, and in spite of the difficulties of a new unit, Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh achieved combat readiness and operational efficiency of his unit in the shortest possible time. In addition to the Squadron training he also had to undertake the training of the newly posted Pilots. Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh has to his credit 4400 hours of accident free flying on single-engined aircraft of which about 1000 hours are on jet fighters alone, which is a very creditable achievement. By his exceptional skill, zeal and enthusiasm, Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh converted his unit in a well-knit team of officers and airmen. Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh displayed commendable professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan, Squadron Leader Ranjit Dhawan was the flight commander of an operational squadron. He was also responsible for a group of 25 Gnat aircraft based at his station and had to look after the necessary coordination between the engineering and the operational personnel. He carried out a total of 44 operational missions in Gnat aircraft. He also was required to plan and coordinate the flying effort of all the aircraft under his command. Thanks to his leadership and planning, the Gnats were able to give a good account of themselves against Pakistani aircraft of superior performance. Although he himself did not shoot down any enemy aircraft, other operational pilots achieved success under his guidance and leadership. His cheerful disposition, zeal and keenness to hunt the enemy in the sky inspired the other pilots and the Ground crew under him to put in their best efforts in the operations.

During the operations against Pakistan, Squadron Leader Satyendra Pal Tyagi, Flight Commander of an operational squadron, carried out eleven operational sorties in the Rajasthan­Sind sector, out of which six were low-level tactical missions over enemy concentrations. During these missions, he operated at the extreme limits of the aircraft's radius of action, very often under enemy anti-aircraft and light machine gun fire. On one occasion, though his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, he completed his mission successfully. He also few combat patrol sorties at night operating under difficult conditions Squadron Leader Satyendra Pal Tyagi displayed commendable flying skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Kizhanatham Ramabadran Rajagopalan has been serving with a Transport Squadron operating in Jammu and Kashmir since 1961. He had earlier been on operational tour of the Naga Hills and NEFA area. During his short service career, Flight Lieutenant Rajagopalan has completed a total of about 4000 hours of flying including 1300 hours in operational areas. His operational experience has been a great asset to the Squadron and on many occasions, when weather conditions were most unfavourable, he voluntarily undertook hazardous supply dropping missions to the most isolated and remote forward posts in Ladakh. In his flights in operational areas he has shown commendable professional skill and his performance has been a source of inspiration to other members of the Squadron in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On 1st September 1965, Flight Lieutenant Shrikrishna Vishnu Phatak was a Wingman in a four aircraft formation. As the formation was entering the enemy area in the Chhamb sector, he saw several enemy aircraft. He reported their position and stuck to his own formation to guard his leader's rear. The formation was ordered to take evasive action and to turn hard starboard. In the process, his aircraft was fired upon by the enemy and was partially out of control; yet he stayed in his aircraft and continued to try to control it till he saw that it was in flames and the fire was spreading fast. Even then he did not lose his nerve, and tried to gain height from a very low altitude. Having failed to do so, he was forced to abandon the burning aircraft. Soon after landing he saw some troops around him and since he was not sure of his location he evaded them till he was overpowered by a posse of armed personnel and bayonetted. The bayonet narrowly missed going through his lungs.

Throughout this encounter, Flight Lieutenant Shrikrishna Vishnu Phatak displayed presence of mind, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flying Officer Narinder Singh Sawhney has been operating as a Navigator with a Transport Squadron in Jammu and Kashmir since October 1962. At such an early stage of his career, through sheer zeal and enthusiasm, this officer has done 1100 hours operational flying in carrying out vital missions over some of the most isolated posts in forward areas in Ladakh. He always rose to the occasion and cheerfully volunteered to participate in difficult missions, the success of which was largely due to his intimate knowledge of the area. Despite unpredictable weather and difficult flying conditions, he regularly undertook operational sorties in utter disregard of his personal safety, which has been a source of inspiration to his colleagues.

Flying Officer Narinder Singh Sawhney has displayed professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On 10th September, 1965, a formation of Mystere aircraft took off for an operational mission on the western border. When the formation reached the target area, a larger number of enemy tanks were spotted and intensive anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite a concentrated barrage and against heavy odds, attacks were carried out. No. 1's aircraft was severely hit during an attack and Nos. 1 and 2 returned to base. Nos. 3 and 4 went in for a second attack.

Although his aircraft was hit, Flight Lieutenant Verma continued the attack, along with No.3. The emergency and auxillary Servo system of Flight Lieutenant Verma's aircraft were damaged and both system pressure dropped to zero. He brought the damaged aircraft back to base with the main system pressure dropping even this went to zero just before touch down. Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Verma showed courage, determination and professional skill of a high order.