Master Warrant Officer Radhey Mohan Lal Mehta, Fitter I, was enrolled in the Indian Air Force as technician in March, 1941. During his career of over thirty years, he has served in a variety of units, including operational squadrons, training school and with the National Cadet Corps. In all these units he has acquitted himself well. He earned a Commendation by the Chief of the Air Staff in 1965.

He is presently serving in a fighter squadron. During his three years with the Squadron, he has be responsible for looking after the repair and servicing section which has to carry the main responsibility of pro ding aircraft for meeting flying tasks. Master Warrant Officer Mehta has shown limitless energy, determination, high organising ability and leadership and achieved high serviceability of the aircraft, despite many handicaps. His professional ability has been of a high standard and he has been an inspiration to his men.

Through his long devoted career, Master Warrant Officer Radhey Mohan Lal Mehta has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Sergeant Madan Lal Chawla, Electrician 1 was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in October, 1948. Almost his whole career, except for periods under training, has been in operational Squadrons and Wings.

Since June, 1966 he has been serving with a transport Squadron. During his stay in the Squadron, Flight Sergeant Chawla has worked with great zeal and vigour. He has always volunteered for additional tasks, especially those connected with operational commitments. His efforts were largely responsible for the repair of a number of aircraft which had been lying unserviceable for a long time. He thus made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency of the Squadron. His personal example of dedicated service has been a constant inspiration to his men.

By this outstanding service, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to duty. Flight Sergeant Madan Lal Chawla has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

205093 Sergeant Shivnath Pandey, Fitter II Engines was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in September, 1949. He has served at a number of operational and training units and repair depots. At all these units, he has acquitted himself well.

Since December, 1968 he has been serving with an operational Squadron where he has been responsible for the servicing of a wide range of ground equipment required for maintaining aircraft. In addition to this, he supervised and conducted the successful completion of 28 engine changes, 30 cylinder changes, 13 Power Recovery Turbine changes, 12 regulator changes and 40 propeller changes in a little over one year. On one occasion when one of the Squadron aircraft had an engine failure at another base, he displayed initiative and resourcefulness in completing the engine change by the next day. During September, 1970, the Squadron experienced a number of technical malfunctions which had baffled expertise at all levels. With ingenuity, initiative and sustained hard work, he succeeded in tracing the causes of defects and rectifying them. He has thus contributed significantly towards achieving high state of operational readiness of his squadron. His example of selfless dedication has been an inspiration to his men.

By his outstanding achievements, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Shivnath Pandey has rendered distinguished service of a high order. For this he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

207576 Flight Sergeant Kunjuthayee Thanga Muthu, Radar Mechanic was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in June, 1950. He was selected for training abroad on Fire Control Radar. Since May, 1966 he has been serving with an operational squadron.

In 1966 when the Squadron was equipped with a new type of supersonic fighter aircraft, problems were encountered with the Fire Control Radar equipment. With his hard work and professional skill he helped to service the equipment and the aircraft were operationally fit in a short time.

He has fabricated a test-rig from local resources and has used this successfully for fault rectification and servicing on the radar equipment of a number of types of aircraft. He has also been responsible for assembling a Skelton test-rig at daily servicing section by which all fault rectifications and occasional periodical servicing may be carried out without hampering the work schedule of the central repair and servicing sections. These steps have appreciably improved the serviceability of the radar equipment.

As the Senior Non-Commissioned officer of his section, his initiative, hard work, zeal and enthusiasm have been a source of inspiration to his men. He has made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency of his Squadron.

Flight Sergeant Kunjuthayee Thanga Muthu has displayed outstanding professional skill, initiative, selfless devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

249326 Corporal (Acting Sergeant Unpaid) SANKAR NATH KUNDU Electrician 1

249326 Corporal Sankar Nath Kundu was on the posted strength of a Fighter Bomber Squadron which operated from a forward airfield during the December, 1971 operations.

On 5th December, 1971 an aircraft which had been hit by anti aircraft fire landed back with the port wing on fire. Unmindful of his personal safety and while the fire fighting was in progress, he climbed the burning aircraft and removed the battery as it was scarce item.

On 14th December, 1971 when one of the aircraft had a total electrical failure, he found that one complete cable requiring changing as it had burnt. Though it was a complicated job, he, with his ingenuity, skill and hard work rectified the snag over-night and all alone. He always ensured that the ground batteries and aircraft batteries were always kept in serviceable condition.

Corporal (Acting Sergeant Unpaid) Sankar Nath Kundu displayed determination, technical skill and devotion to duty of a very high order in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

266036 Corporal Brij Pal Singh, Wireless Operator Mechanic has been serving with a unit engaged in sensitive activities since January, 1967.

Corporal Singh displayed an uncommon keenness and appreciation of his duties. His perspective observation and personal initiative and most significant dividend during the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971. While on duty, he was required to acquire and report operational data which proved instrumental in brining about an early and successful conclusion to the operations against Pakistan forces in Bangla Desh.

Corporal Brij Pal Singh displayed extreme devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Ved Prakash Bhagra was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1942. During the last 29 years, he has held a variety of unit and staff appointments amongst which are the assignment with Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission in Korea and Staff Officer to the Commandant of National Defence Academy.

During the last one year and nine months, Wing Commander Bhagra has been Officerin-Charge Drafting at Air Force Record Office. These duties during the present emer gency were onerous and very complicated because of the large number of airmen required to be moved to replace those who were proceeding on release in the wake of lifting of the national emergency in 1968 and the need for meeting the ever-increasing demands for manpower from the front line Units.

When the national emergency was imminent in the latter half of 1971 and the task of the Air Force Record Office, increased manifold Wing Commander Bhagra, by his personal example, honesty of purpose and devotion to the cause of the service, managed to forge the Officers and airmen of Drafting Wing into a closely knit and an efficient team. During the recent emergency, when the preparation stage was being implemented, it was due to his untiring efforts and minute and meticulous attention to detail that it was possible to complete large scale manpower augmentation plan in a speed manner. This enabled the service to provide such needed manpower at forward operational area Units well in time to meet the threat.

The selfless devotion to the duties entrusted to him and personal example set by Wing Commander Ved Prakash Bhagra were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Rattan Singh Dhindsa has held a number of important appointments during his long service career. During the Indo-Pak hostilities of 1971, he arranged movement of men and material at a very short notice and worked round the clock to accomplish the task.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for professional ability and devotion to duty.

During the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971, and the period preceding the same, the requirement in the field of photo interpretation had increased many folds. Under the circumstances Wing Commander Chaudhuri did not allow himself to be handicapped by the limited staff available to him and on the contrary organized his section to a closely knit, hard working and efficient team. Working continuously day and night on many occasions, he and his staff had always been able to complete all tasks assigned to him in time and achieve a high degree of accuracy in the Photo Interpretation work. The valuable information produced by him out of photo interpretation, was usefully utilized and contributed towards the successful planning and execution of many operations.

Wing Commander Prasanta Kumar Chaudhuri (3676) Administrative displayed leadership and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Manjit Singh Judge (3709) was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1949. At the time of Indo-Pak Conflict in December, 1971, he was commanding an Equipment Depot.

Wg. Cdr. Judge was called upon to exercise budgetary control and place indents on the overseas supply missions, over and above the need to maintain close and tactful liaison with Messrs Air India Ltd. With ingenuity and tact and a high devotion to duty he has accomplished his task in a praiseworthy manner. Despite the limited resources of the Depot, he also arranged successfully administratively arrangements for other operational units operating from that base during the Indo-Pak operations.

By his single minded loyalty and devotion to duty and well meditated management, despite the fact that no additional resources were placed at his disposal, this officer performed his assigned tasks cheerfully without regard to personal comforts. He displayed leadership and organizing ability and has rendered service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Kalpathy Easwaran (3725) was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in January, 1950. He has been serving as Senior Equipment Staff Officer of Headquarters Eastern Air Command, since August, 1968.

During the floods in October, 1968, he kept up the stocks of aviation fuel at all units judiciously by resorting to various modes of transportation when the rail traffic was disrupted.

During the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971, he organized the supply of aviation fuel in such a way that adequate stock were available at al the bases of operations. He also maintained excellent liaison with the Army authorities for availability of rations at all the places of deployment of the personnel.

Wing Commander Kalpathy Easwaran displayed leadership, professional competence and devotion to duty, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Shanker Govind Chitnis was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the IAF in January, 1959. At the outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he was commanding an Air Storage Park.

During the Indo-Pak operations vital task were assigned to the Air Storage Park. Wg Cdr Chitnis with his foresight and ingenuity, rose to the occasion and by his sustained hard work, inspired leadership and direction, achieved maximum results and his unit kept on supplying the essential and vital equipment to all the operational units in the Eastern Sector. Apart from ensuring prompt supply of stores to the operational units, he also undertook distribution of consignments received through the Air Delivery Flight. Despite shortage of staff and transport, he carried out the arduous tasks entrusted to him cheerfully, without compromising the security of the station and welfare of the personnel placed under him.

Wing Commander Shankar Govind Chitnis displayed courage, inspiring leadership and devotion to duty and rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Cheeren Verghese Thambi was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) of the Indian Air Force in August, 1951. At the time of outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he served as the Deputy Director Ground Radar (Tech.) at Air Headquarters. During the recent emergency, Wing Commander Thambi showed initiative and technical ability of a very high order. In the case of radar stations, the rectifier valves were in short supply and could not be imported from abroad. This situation could have prevented the radar stations from functioning within a short period as the consumption of these valves was very high due to continuous operations. Wing Commander Thambi successfully designed and developed a solid state rectifier for replacing these high voltage rectifier valves and arranged to get them indigenously manufactured. This modification proved a great success during the present emergency and, in fact, improved the radar performance due to continued ability to withstand high voltage. By this modification, he not only overcame a critical shortage but also insured lesser reliance on import, thus saving valuable foreign exchange.

Throughout the emergency, Wing Commander Cheeren Verghese Thambi displayed initiative, leadership and devotion to duty, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Paul Lauzado (4153) was commissioned in the Aeronautical of Engineering (Mechanical) of the Indian Air Force in August 1951. He has been on the posted strength of an Equipment Depot since October, 1970.

Wing Commander Lauzado in his assignment as the Commanding Officer has shown striking initiative, tremendous drive and singular ability which have inspired all personnel working under him to put in their very best. As a result his Depot made a significant contribution towards the success of the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971.

One of the major tasks of the Depot was to ensure prompt stock transfer of huge quantities of explosives and other stores to Air Storage Park for building up their War Reserves. This task was planned and executed most efficiently and strictly to schedule.

Throughout this period commencing from April 1971 till the end of hostilities, the repair activities of this Depot have been remarkable. This record production of critically required stores surpassed all previous performance of the Depot and provided a tremendous help towards the war effort.

The Depot both in its activities of repair and supply, has excelled itself and has given a remarkable logistic support to the operational units during the emergency. This effort is all the more commendable in view of the fact that the Depot was not given any additional resources of manpower.

Wing Commander Paul Lauzado has shown a remarkable zeal and tremendous organizing ability and leadership in the management of this Depot during the emergency, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Chander Prakash Aggarwal (4190) was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1951. During his career, he has held important appointments in Units and Staff appointments at Air Headquarters and Army Headquarters.

Wing Commander Aggarwal was posted to an Embarkation Headquarters Bombay in March, 1971 as Deputy Commandant. He was responsible for reception of defence equipment from abroad and dispatch to destinations with speed. In addition he was also responsible for rail moves in conjunction with Army Headquarters and Railways. He was also responsible for the administration of the Embarkation personnel.

During September-December 1971 there was an unprecedented activity of imports by sea and air of defence equipment. The equipment had to be moved to units and depots on operational immediate priority. There was a number of problems in unloading of ships, making matching rolling stock available and pushing them forward without delay. On some occasions Wing Commander Aggarwal had to devise modification to the rolling stock to carry heavy equipment like tanks. On rail move side, innumerable special troop and vehicle trains had to be moved at a very short notice from various sub-stations. This required constant touch with Army Headquarters, Railways and user units. All these tasks were carried out with comparative ease and efficiency. On the administrative side, the entire Embarkation Headquarters staff had to be geared up to this gigantic task. His efforts were mainly responsible for making the entire staff rise to the occasion as one man.

Wing Commander Chander Prakash Aggarwal disregarded his delicate health and personal comfort and worked round the clock to ensure that the tasks were accomplished. He spared no efforts to enthuse his subordinates and extracted the maximum out of them. He displayed leadership and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Har Mohan Singh Chatwal during Indo-Pak war of 1971 planned the working of airfield services in an exemplary manner and ensured the smooth launching and recovery of aircraft. He also effectively coordinated and controlled defensive measures in the air and on ground. Awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for excellent coordination and distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Venkatraman Srinivas Iyer during Indo-Pak operations of 1971 helped in the planning of air support to the Navy and contributed significantly to the success of maritime air operations.

Awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for professional skill and distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Om Parkash Kukreja was commissioned in the Flying (Navigator) Branch of the Indian Air Force in January, 1953. During his early period of service career, he attended Air Interception Course in the United Kingdom. After completing this course, he served as a Navigator in a Night Fighter Squadron. Later, he served as a Navigation Instructor in the Air Force Flying College and as Flight Commander of a transport Squadron. He has successfully completed the School of Land/Air Warfare Course, Ad hoc Navigation Instructors Course and Interviewing Officers Course. At present he is serving as Deputy Director Operations Room at Air Headquarters.

His Zeal, organising ability and devotion to duty have been instrumental in streamlining the set-up the Operations Room. During the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971, he put himself on the roster with other Officers in addition to being overall incharge of the Operations Room and worked long hours untiring. He was responsible for giving comprehensive and detailed briefing to the Chief of the Air Staff and the Principe Staff Officers every morning during the operations. During this period, he handled many intricate problems with remarkable efficiency.

Wing Commander Om Parkash Kukreja displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Vinayak Bhiwaji Sawant Vr. C. was commissioned in the Flying (Navigator) Branch the Indian Air Force in January, 1953. He has been working as Deputy Director of Intelligence at Air Headquarters for the last two years. During the tenure of his duties he has affected many improvements in his Section. In the discharge of his duties he showed keenness and resourcefulness and executed all tasks with skill. Under his able guidance, his Section worked very hard and produced valuable results in the collation, analysis and dissemination of intelligence information. His note-worthy achievement, in particular, has been consolidation of Intelligence information into a pamphlet, which was issued to all units well in advance before the recent Indo-Pak hostilities started.

He conducted all tasks allotted to him with determination and zeal. His unflinching devotion to duty and tenacity of purpose were a source of inspiration to others who worked with him.

Wing Commander Parshotam Lal Rishi was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch of the Indian Air Force in September, 1953. At the time of the outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, he was in Command of an Electronic Engineering and Installation Unit. During the Emergency, a large number of engineering tasks, urgent repairs and defect

rectification work were entrusted to him. He carried out these successfully.

Wing Commander Rishi was also entrusted with the task of preparing a Radar Station by removing radar damaged due to enemy air attacks. He completed the task within a record time of three days. His experience was utilized during the hostilities to enable all Major Radar Stations to be kept serviceable. A Signal Unit was attacked by enemy air attack on 4th December, 1971. He arranged the required parts from indigenous resources and brought the unit on the air within a record time of 12 hours.

Wing Commander Parshotam Lal Rishi displayed leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty is rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Prem Prakash Agarwal was commissioned in the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force 1st March 1955. He has been serving as the Staff Officer to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command since August 1969

his sustained hard work and thorough study, he kept himself fully conversant with all problems face various establishments under Western Air Command. He vigorously perused action on each point raised during the visits of the A.O.C.-in-C. to Wings/Units and kept an up-to-date record of the progress made. His exemplary staff work, clarity of thought and expression were of immense help to all concerned.

During the Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he worked for long hours and successfully coordinated staff work amongst Operational, Administrative and Maintenance cells. It was mainly due to his efforts that all relevant information from mission reports received at the operations centre were promptly processed and passed to Administrative and Maintenance staff and actioned without any delay. He confidently dealt with all routine matters within the framework of broad directive of the A.O.C.in-C. and there by helped the A.O.C.-in-C. in devoting his full attention to the operations in the Western Sector.

Squadron Leader Prem Prakash Agarwal displayed high professional knowledge, capacity for sustained work and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas, (4930) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of December, 1971, he served as the Chief Technical Officer of an operational wing in the Western Sector.

Wing Commander Ramdas was responsible for providing technical services not only to the Wing but also two Care and Maintenance Units in the forward areas. He performed all his duties with high technical skill, ingenuity and initiative and cheerfully met all the demands in the most efficient manner.

During the operations he ensured that all the damaged aircraft coming from forward air bases, were repaired and serviced in record time. He personally supervised the servicing and ensured quick turn around of the aircraft.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas displayed initative, technical skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Appakudal Jayaraman Srinivasan was Commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. At the time of outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, he served as the Deputy Director Engineering (A) (Project) at Air Headquarters.

During the Indo-Pak operations, there was an urgent operational requirement for providing photo recce capability to a supersonic aircraft and modifying a small transport aircraft for offensive role. Wing Commander Srinivasan took of these two projects and achieved excellent results. With his remarkable ingenuity, superior professional knowledge and exceptional devotion to duty he achieved the tasks in a record time. Both the projects required designing of various fittings and pods for carrying aerial cameras. All the aspects including designing, fabrication, fitment and trials were personally undertaken and supervised by him. He was all along aware that he was working to a very tight schedule and, therefore, unhesitatingly worked long hours and was quite indefatigable in carrying out the work. All along he inspired the men working under hum to give their best to the service at a most critical juncture. Wing Commander Appakudal Jayaraman Srinivasan has displayed ingenuity, superior professional skill, devotion to duty and leadership and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal

Wing Commander Nayel Devarao Mohan was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of Indian Air Force in April, 1955. During the hostilities in December, 1971 he was employed as Chief Technical Officer of a forward Wing in the Western Sector.

With his vast professional knowledge and experience he was able to plan and execute all maintenance tasks that were posed to him during the hostilities. No task was impossible or beyond solution for him. Though a number detachments of the squadrons of the Wing were operating from various advance bases, he ensured that the technical requirements of these detachments were fully met. He personally directed and supervised the turn around of the aircraft during day as well as night within twenty five minutes and there was not a single instance when any aircraft was delayed on its mission. On many occasions he himself carried out the job guiding and marshalling the aircraft.

On 3rd December, 1971, a few minutes after the arrival of our strike force, the airfield was littered with bombs dropped by the enemy. One of our aircraft, by mistake, taxied to a wrong taxy track where there two unexploded bombs. He immediately, collected a few airmen and under personal supervision and direction, got the aircraft removed away and thus saved the valuable aircraft.

On another occasion when he was given only forty five minutes to receive a fleet of a large number of aircraft from another base, he quickly planned and organised the requirement in such a way that all the aircraft were taxied to the selected pens in a smooth manner and within two hours all of them were ready for operational missions.

On 5th December, 1971 he was made incharge of a project for preparation of a large number of special bombs which required clear planning and proper co-ordination. Despite three air raid warnings during the night, he, in complete disregard to his personal safety, accomplished the task within the stipulated period.

Wing Commander Nayel Devarao Mohan displayed high initiative, organising ability, devotion to duty and exceptional professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Surinder Mohan was commissioned in the IAF in April 1955. Since May 1971, he has been in command of a unit engaged in highly sensitive activities in the Gujarat and Rajasthan sectors.

Squadron Leader Mohan appreciated the potential of the Unit in providing the Armed Forces with information that could be of vital importance in operational planning and immediately set about reorganizing, training and directing activities of his Unit towards this aim. The successes achieved by his Unit in this field are to a large extent attributable to his inspiring leadership, exemplary conduct and determined efforts to maximize the output of personnel and equipment under his Command. He has made a significant contribution towards operational planning and successes in the Gujarat and Rajasthan sectors in spite of frequent air raids.

Squadron Leader Surinder Mohan displayed leadership, professional ability and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh was com missioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. At the time of outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he served with Signals Unit.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh has been responsible for the successful development and fabrication of special electronic equipment for use in a bomber aircraft.

During October and November, 1971, Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh was given the task of fabricating these special electronic equipment in quantity. With his drive, initiative and important substitution, he was able to complete this in record time. He also installed these sets in operational aircraft so that these were available for use during the Indo-Pak operations of December, 1971, thereby greatly increasing the operational capability of the aircraft. Throughout opera tions, he worked with the operational squadrons, briefing and debriefing the air crew on the use of these special electronic equipment.

Squadron Leader Lakhmir Singh displayed technical skill, initiative, leadership and devotion to duty and rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Kapoor (5409) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch of the Indian Air Force in May, 1957. At the time of outbreak of hostilities with Pakistan in December, 1971, he served as office in charge Instrument and Electrical Repair Section at a Base Repair Depot.

During the emergency, a camera modification on a fighter bomber aircraft had to be completed within a period of 6 days. It was mainly due to the efforts of Squadron Leader Kapoor that this modification was completed successfully in time, and this aircraft was employed successfully in operational role. Another special electronic modification had to be completed on another type of aircraft on the highest priority during the present emergency. This modification was also completed in a record time of 5 days. Squadron Leader Kapoor has also brought about a marked improvement in the output of the rotables at the Depot.

Squadron Leader Kailash Chander Kapoor displayed professional skill, initiative and dedication to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Zaheer Ahmed Ansari was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in May, 1957. Immediately before the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, he was posted as Senior Armament Officer at a forward air base. Within six days he ensured the armament preparedness of the base. He inspired and motivated his men to work round the clock and ensured effective dispersal, deployment, camouflage and concealment of vast quantities of explosives to safeguard them from aerial attack.

During the first ten days of the operations more than 403 tones of bombs, rockets, ammunition and demolition explosives were handled efficiently and expeditiously at the base under his expert supervision without any mishap.

On 3rd December, 1971, immediately after the enemy air raid, Squadron Leader Zaheer Ahmed Ansari was detailed to carry out bomb reconnaissance along the runway where a few bombs had just exploded. With complete disregard to his personal safety he completed the task exposing himself to the grave danger of bomb blast as one bomb exploded while he moved from one pit to the other. Three more bombs with varying time delays subsequently exploded in the same area. He accounted for all the enemy exploded and unexploded bombs within the airfield by meticulous time measurement and calcula tions thus ensuring safety of aircraft, equipment and personnel.

On 5th December, 1971, when one of the 1000 pound bomb was released from a landing aircraft and came to stop at about 600 yards along the runway and 15 feet from the apron with the fuse wire already pulled out, it was extremely risky to handle and make the bomb safe and on the other hand it would have rendered the main runway unserviceable if it was to be demolished on site. He was asked to render the bomb safe and remove it. He showed extreme courage and composure in performing the delicate operation of removing the bomb tail unit, pistol and detonator to render the bomb safe.

Squadron Leader Zaheer Ahmed Ansari displayed dedication to duty, organising ability and professionalism of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Gurbakhash Rai Sahni was commanding a Mobile Echelon Maintenance Unit in a forward area in the Western Sector during the December 1971 operations. He managed the tremendous operational works at his unit in a very efficient manner and sited a large number of observation posts which contributed significantly in taking tactical action in time.

For his leadership, zeal, skill and devotion to duty of a very high order he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Srinivasa Rangaswamy was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1958. Since August 1971, he has been Commanding the Central Re-production Unit, During the period 16th October 1971 to 3rd December, 1971 and throughout the period of Indo-Pak operations, the unit was required to produce, on a mass scale, contact prints, enlargements and mosaics. Inspite of the limited manpower, the unit achieved five times its normal output. Most of the negative rolls/unprocessed films were received in evening and the production work was carried out throughout the night. All types of photographic equipment, films, printing paper and chemicals were collected, stored, issued and despatched to the operational units.

Squadron Leader Rangaswamy completed these tasks admirably. Irrespective of the time of day and nigh was available at the unit and by his Direct involvement, guidance and tact he built a team spirit which was essential sustained effort.

Squadron Leader Srinivasa Rangaswamy displayed initiative, keenness, tact and inspiring leadership and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Sardari Lal Gupta was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in May, 1959. During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, he was posted as the Senior Logistics Officer at a forward base in the Western Sector.

Throughout the hostilities he remained at his post round the clock hardly with any rest and encouraged his men stay at work even during nights. On the night of 4th December, 1971, his area was bombed and some portions of section were damaged. Despite this with utter disregard to his personal safety he organised his men and material resources exceptionally well with the consequence that the flow of equipment was maintained which enabled the base to carry out all the operational tasks successfully. During the period of operations, under his stewardship the quantum of task completed by equipment section was five times more than that of proceeding 14 days.

Squadron Leader Sardari Lal Gupta displayed dedication to duty, organising ability and professional skill of a I order and thereby rendered distinguished service. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron Leader Dilip Kumar Chatterjee rendered distinguished service by quickly restoring land lines, and VHF and HF communications disrupted by enemy raids. On several days he provided alternate lines to important sections and repaired HF transmitter aerial and Eureka within a very short time after the raids, often by working during nights in spite of unexploded bombs lying in the vicinity.

For his devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and exceptional professional skill he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Prabhakar Baburao Magdum was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1962. He served as an engineering officer of a Fighter Squadron before and during the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971.

He established a sound technical organisation in the Squadron for first and second line servicing. His exceptional qualities of leadership which inspired his men to maintain a very high rate of aircraft serviceability which was never less than 92% during the operations. This high rate of serviceability enabled the Squadron to fly over 300 sorties during the short period of operations.

Squadron Leader Prabhakar Baburao Magdum displayed dedication to duty, exemplary leadership, professional skill and distinguished service of a high order in the best tradition of the Indian Air Force. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Baljit Singh Sahmey (6558) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1962. He has been serving as the Chief Technical Officer of an Air Force Station in the Eastern Sector since January, 1971.

Within a short period of two months, he established second line servicing of a transport aircraft which had earlier been carried out by Messrs. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. During the Indo-Pak operations in December, 1971, he maintained a high rate of 86 percent aircraft serviceability rate and thereby enabled the Squadrons to complete their missions successfully.

Squadron Leader Baljit Singh Sahmey displayed high professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Hardeep Singh Boparai was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1962.

During the December, 1971 operations, he was employed as the Senior Technical Officer of a Fighter Bomber Squadron which operated from a forward airfield in the Western Sector.

On 4th and 5th December, 1971, four aircraft suffered heavy damages due to enemy air attack and ground. He carried out necessary repairs along with his men and made three of these aircraft airworthy within a very short time. Six more aircraft which were later damaged were also repaired on the spot. Though the airfield was equipped to undertake only first line servicing, he, with his ingenuity and hard work, maintained a high rate of serviceability.

In the night of 9th/10th December, 1971, the airfield was attacked by enemy aircraft and Squadron Armament Store was set on fire, lighting the entire dispersal area. All buildings and aircraft pens also became vulnerable to en attack. Though the air raid siren was on, he, with the help of another officer and some airmen extinguished the fire thus not only saved the Armament Store but also ensured that the airfield was not visible from the air.

Throughout the hostilities, Flight Lieutenant Hardeep Singh Boparai displayed high organising ability, leadership and professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Throughout the December 1971 operations, Flight Lieutenant Pannalari Korothunbikahannan Nambiar ensured cent per cent serviceability of his unit's aircraft while serving with a Helicopter Unit in the Eastern Sector. This he achieved by working round the clock with utter disregard for his personal comfort. On 16th December, 1971 a helicopter of his unit forcelanded at Fenchugung after being hit by enemy ground fire. Flt. Lt. Nambiar flew to the spot and by personally carrying out the repairs, made it possible for the aircraft to be flown back to base the same evening.

For the distinguished service of a high order rendered by him he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Narinder Kumar Chhibber while serving in a mobile unit during the 1971 conflict maintained a high operational efficiency of his Unit despite frequent moves.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for sustained hard work and distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Vir Sain Chowdhry (7126) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in January, 1963. He was posted as Armament Officer of a Fighter Bomber Squadron during the period of opera tion against Pakistan in December, 1971.

He was responsible for setting up a high standard of maintenance of the aircraft armament equipment. He ensured the training of armament personnel within a short time which enabled the squadron to become fully operational. By his ingenuity he increased the number of rounds loaded in aircraft and thus increased its fire power. This modification was subsequently accepted even by the manufacturers. He was also associated with the clearance trials of indigenous armament stores used in the aircraft.

He skillfully organized the activities of the Central Repair and Servicing Section, and thereby increased the rate of aircraft serviceability. He also undertook camouflaging of aircraft blast pens and dispersal of technical equipment.

Squadron Leader Vir Sain Chowdhry displayed dedication to duty, organizing ability and professional skill of a high order. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Bhuban Mohan Gogoi (7454) was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air Force in May, 1968. At the outbreak of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he served with an Air Force Hospital in the Eastern Sector.

Being the only anesthetist in the hospital, he assisted the Surgeon in three operations theaters simultaneously during the Indo-Pak operations. As battle casualties started coming in, he was busy in the operation theater for long periods. In one instance when 41 casualties were operated he worked for 48 hours at a stretch. On another occasion when 22 casualties were operated, he was busy in the operation theater for 35 hours without a break.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Bhuban Mohan Gogoi set an example with his organizing ability, high professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty with complete disregard to personal comfort in the finest traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Mangta Singh (7845) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1968. At the time of outbreak of hostilities with Pakistan in December, 1971, he served with a Base Repair Depot.

Prior to the posting of Flight Lieutenant Mangta Singh to Depot, the facilities for overhaul of fuel pumps and other engine components were not established at the Depot. Such facilities were provided by Messrs. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This factor had been adversely affecting the engine production rate of the Depot for the last few years. Flight Lieutenant Mangta Singh being widely experienced in the sophisticated techniques of overhaul of these components, was given the challenging task of setting up the required facilities. By his personal guidance and under his direct supervision these facilities were established and personnel trained in the techniques of overhaul. As a result of this, the engine production rate of Depot increased considerably.

Flight Lieutenant Mangta Singh displayed professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Subir Kumar Niyogi was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force In October, 1963.

During the December, 1971 operations he was posted as the Engineering officer of Fighter Bomber Squadron which was operating from a forward airfield in the Western Sector.

Throughout the hostilities, with his skill and hard work, he maintained a high rate of aircraft serviceability despite the fact that on many occasions, the aircraft came back badly damaged by enemy fire. Again with his ingenuity he got the damaged fuel tanks vulcanized through local civil sources and patched up bullet holes on the aircraft with improvised means when the specialist for patch repairs was not available and thus made the aircraft operational within hours.

On 9th December, 1971, when one aircraft was badly damaged at 1600 hours by antiaircraft guns with the rear fuselage ripped open at three places and the engine also damaged he, along with his crew worked overnight and made the aircraft serviceable for flying by next morning.

Flight Lieutenant, Subir Kumar Niyogi displayed high initiative, ingenuity, devotion to duty and professional in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Hitendra Singh Chimni was commissioned in Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1964. During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, he was employed on Air Traffic Control at a forward air base in the Western Sector. Throughout the operations he maintained a very high standard in controlling extremely heavy air traffic by devising and efficiently introd ucing new methods. He also handled many emergencies with great presence of mind and controlled heavy air traffic, at times upto forty aircraft with varying state of fuel, armament and even battle casualties.

He excelled in the utilisation of Ground Control Approach radar as an early warning system and at many times succeeded in detecting hostile aircraft movements which could not be noticed by other types of radars.

He also commanded Platoons of Defence Security Corp and in a short time introduced new methods of training on anti-commando/ infiltrator technique and transformed them from peace time pole into an integral part of the ground defence system during the operations.

Flight Lieutenant Hitendra Singh Chimni displayed organising ability dedication to duty and professional skill a high order and thereby rendered distinguished service beyond the normal call of duty. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Gian Parkash Sharma was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in October, 1964.

During the December, 1971, operations, as the Engineering Officer of a Helicopter Unit operating from one of our airfields in the forward area in the Western Sector, he was required to carry out the second line servicing of Helicopters which otherwise would have been carried out at the original location. Though faced with a difficult task, with his sustained hard work and judicious utilisation of spares, carried out six 100 hours inspections, three hub changes and two engine changes and ensured quick turn around of the Helicopters. But for his personal efforts, the unit could not have been able to carry out the large number of operational missions.

Flight Lieutenant Gian Parkash Sharma displayed zeal, capacity for sustained hard work and high professional skill in the finest traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Clarence Ferdinand Noronha during the Indo-Pak operations in 1971 through ingenuity and outstanding professional skill repaired battle damaged aircraft in record time and maintained a very high rate of aircraft serviceability. Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for displaying leadership and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Adhiyur Raju Maniam was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch of the Indian Air Force in September, 1965. Since July, 1968 he has been serving with a Unit engaged in sensitive activities.

Throughout his tenure of duties, Flight Lieutenant Maniam has shown

exemplary diligence, application a comprehension in his analytical duties. His attention to meticulous detail coupled with a highly imaginative approach contributed substantially towards operational planning in the Indian Air Force in peace time and during the Indo-Pak operations in December 1971.

Flight Lieutenant Adhiyur Raju Maniam displayed extreme devotion to duty and dedicated discharge responsibilities and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

10277 Master Warrant Officer Jaywant Singh Ray Fitter 1 has been serving with an operational squadron as Master Warrant Officer-in-Charge of the Repair and Servicing Section for the last two years.

His performance during the Indo-Pak Conflict of December, 1971, has been commendable. Working round the clock with a detachment deployed away from a forward base, he closely supervised all inspections, rectifications and servicing, keeping the aircraft serviceability at a high figure of 70% at the commencement of hostilities and main tained a high serviceability rate througho ut the operations. He has made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency and achievements of the Squadron.

For his distinguished service of a high order and professional skill, Master Warrant Officer Jaywant Singh Ray is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Kirpal Singh Dhillon was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in August, 1966. During the December, 1971 operations, he was posted as the Senior Armament Officer of a Fighter Squadron which operated from a forward airfield in the Western Sector.

On 4th December, 1971 at about 0130 hours the airfield was attacked by the enemy and bombs were dropped on and around the runway. He immediately reached the scene to clear the unexploded bombs to facilitate runway repair. While he was busy with the task, a delay fused bomb exploded within fifteen yards from him. Undeterred, he continued to cover the other unexploded bombs with sand bags and thus ensured that no loss or damage was caused to life or material.

Flight Lieutenant Kirpal Singh Dhillon was often required to make available to the Squadron varied type explosive stores and sometimes the type of ordinance load to be carried by the aircraft was changed at short notice but he always undertook and successfully completed all such tasks.

Flight Lieutenant Kirpal Singh Dhillon displayed determination, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order and set a shining example to those working with him. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flying Officer Suresh Khanna (10861) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) of the Indian Air Force in October 1967. At the time of Indo-Pak hostilities in December, 1971, he served as Officer-in-charge of a detachment of a wireless unit deployed in the Rajasthan sector.

Both before and during the Indo-Pak operation, Flying Officer Khanna proved commendable practitioner of his duties and responsibilities and extended the same by admirable dedication. His ceaseless efforts and personal example were a source of inspiration to all personnel under him worki ng under extremely trying conditions and difficult circumstances. He made significant contribution towards planning and success of air operations in the Rajasthan sector.

Flying Officer Suresh Khanna displayed leadership and devotion to duty and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flying Officer Gurjant Singh was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch of Indian Air Force in March, 1968. Since November, 1970 he has been serving with a unit engaged in sensitive activities.

Since September 1971, Flying Officer Singh has been incharge of a unit detachment in Agartala Sector where working environments were extremely hard. Despite these, he showed rare qualities of leadership and initiative. By his personal example to face up all hardship and short comings with utter disregard to personal comfort, he welded subordinates into a dedicated team which cheerfully and enthusiastically carried out the difficult assignment of Detachment.

Flying Officer Vinod Chandra Tripathy was employed on Air Traffic Control duties at a forward air base in the Western Sector before and during the operations in December 1971. He single handedly ensured the smooth functioning of Air Traffic Control and on one critical occasion averted a serious accident by his skill, alertness and presence of mind.

For his devotion to duty and professional skill and for his distinguished service he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.