During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Ali Syed was serving with a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of operational missions and destroyed nine tanks, eight vehicles, one gun position, one fuel dump, one building, one watch tower and one fuel train. He also attacked concentrations of enemy troops and armour.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Ali Syed displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Sukrutraj Jayandra was serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Eastern Sector. While escorting a formation of four aircraft proceeding of Tezgaon airfield Flight Lieutenant Jayandra was number two in a formation of two aircraft. The formation was attacked by F-86 Sabre aircraft and Flight Lieutenant Jayandra engaged one of the enemy Sabre aircraft in a combat. During the combat Flight Sukrutraj Jayandra outmaneuvered the enemy aircraft and shot it down.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Sukrutraj Jayandra displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

On the 22nd November 1971 at 1450 hours an order was given to intercept four Pakistani aircraft, which had intruded into our territory near Boyra in West Bengal. Flight Lieutenant Roy Andrew Massey who was leading a formation of four Gnat aircraft proceeded to intercept the enemy. He skillfully positioned his section, got behind one of the Sabre jets and shot it down. His accurate judgment and skillful maneuvering of the formation resulted in the shooting down of two more Sabre jets. After ensuring that no other intruder was in our territory, he brought his formation back safely.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Roy Andrew Massey displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Surinder Singh Malhotra was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron. On the 12th December, 1971 when he was detailed to carry out a photo reconnaissance mission over Risalwala airfield deep in enemy territory, he was required to take the photographs from a height of 4 kilometers in order to cover the entire airfield. The moment he pulled up to the required height he noticed two enemy MiG-19 aircraft flying over the airfield. One of these aircraft was ahead and to his right turning towards him. He skillfully maneuvered his aircraft and positioned himself behind the MiG-19. As soon as the enemy aircraft came within firing range, he opened fire and saw enemy aircraft emitting smoke and going down. After this engagement, he brought his aircraft back to base safely. On earlier occasions he had photographed the same airfield and had brought back excellent photographs, which were of immense value to our operations and planning. In addition, he also carried out a number of close air support and interdiction missions despite heavy ground opposition.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Surinder Singh Malhotra displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Prem Bhushan Kalra took part in six bombing missions. On every mission, he has been instrumental in spotting the source of ground fire and in taking effective counter measures. Though his aircraft was hit on three occasions, he continued with the mission. On the 15th December, 1971, he undertook a mission deep into the enemy territory. The fading light and poor visibility made navigated extremely difficult. He reached his target with pinpoint accuracy and bombed it devastatingly.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Prem Bhushan Kalra displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Fredrick Pereira was employed on Forward Air Controller duties with an Army brigade in the forward area. His duties required directing close air support aircraft on to enemy targets from forward locations. He performed his duties daringly in the midst of enemy fire with utter disregard to his own safety. He carried out these tasks most admirably and his directions were responsible for many successful attacks by our aircraft on enemy concentrations. On the 14th December, 1971, while performing his duties, he was hit by enemy bullets as a result of which he died.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Fredrick Pereira displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Niraj Kukreja was serving with a Fighter Squadron. On the 17th December 1971, while he was leading an escort formation for one of our strike missions, he spotted two enemy F-104 aircraft constituting direct threat to the strike mission. He alerted his number two and also informed the leader of the strike mission that he was engaging the enemy aircraft. He skillfully maneuvered his aircraft and got behind one of the F-104’s. After a short air combat he fired both his missiles, as a result of which the enemy aircraft exploded and crashed.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Niraj Kukreja displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Chidambaram Sarangapani Chandrasekaran was a pilot in a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. He flew 13 operational missions against the enemy ground forces and destroyed 8 tanks, 2 gun positions and one bunker in the face of heavy ground fire.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Chidambaram Sarangapani Chandrasekaran displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

On the 4th December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Cherry Hassanand Raney led a strike mission over Hussainwala and destroyed an enemy tank. He led a number of other missions over enemy territory in the face of enemy air and ground opposition. His missions had decisive effects on enemy ground forces in ChhambJaurian Sector. He destroyed four tanks and four vehicles in addition to deadly strike over enemy concentration of troops and armour. On the 17th December 1971, he carried out a daring attack on Lahore Railway Junction causing extensive damages which were later confirmed by films.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Cherry Hassanand Raney displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron in the Eastern Sector. He flew 11 missions during the conflict. On his first counter air mission over Dacca Air Field he was shot at by enemy Ack Ack. Regardless of personal safety and in the face of heavy ground fire he continued with his attacks; which resulted in the silencing of the guns on the airfield as also the loss of a Sabre aircraft on the ground. In one of his subsequent missions, he was responsible for spending considerable time over the enemy area in locating a well-camouflaged P.O.L dump and in destroying it.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Robindra Kumar Sinha displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Arun Vasant Sathaye as a senior pilot of a FighterBomber Squadron, was detailed as a member of four aircraft strike mission over an airfield on 4th December 1971. He carried out two successful attacks despite heavy ground fire. During his first attack, he destroyed a building and while pulling out noticed an aircraft parked in the adjoining area. He went in for the second attack on the enemy bomber aircraft, which was being refueled. After attacking the aircraft, he saw huge flames near the aircraft and also a column of smoke going up.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Arun Vasant Sathaye displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Arun Laxman Deoskar was a pilot in a FighterBomber Squadron. He carried out a day counter air mission on an enemy airfield deep into enemy territory and destroyed two aircraft on ground in the face of heavy enemy ground fire. On an earlier occasion, he had made another counter air, day operational mission and had damaged enemy airfield installations. On his way back from this mission, he was engaged by a high performance enemy aircraft. Though his aircraft was damaged, he skillfully took evasive action and brought back his aircraft safely to base.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Arun Laxman Deoskar displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aspari Raghunath (9122) was serving with a bomber Squadron. He volunteered for every sortie and mission. By virtue of his keenness and ability, he was also earmarked for a special task, which was completed successfully despite enemy ack ack and air defence.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Aspari Raghunath displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Bharat Bhushan Soni was serving with Fighter Squadron. During an enemy air raid on the airfield he took off and engaged one F-104 aircraft after it had attacked the airfield. He flew his aircraft at almost supersonic speed at low level and shot down the enemy aircraft.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Bharat Bhushan Soni displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Somar Bikram Shah was serving with a detachment of a fighter-bomber Squadron. On the 16th December, 1971, he was detailed to escort an offensive sweep mission. As the leader of the escort, he substantially helped the offensive sweep mission to accomplish the task. While returning to base, he spotted a section of the enemy aircraft approaching our aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Somar Bikram Shah immediately engaged the enemy aircraft and in the ensuing air battle shot down the leader of the enemy formation. Due to shortage of fuel, he was prevented from going after the other enemy aircraft. Despite this handicap he frustrated the efforts of the second enemy aircraft and landed safely without any damage to his own aircraft.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Somar Bikram Shah displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, as a pilot of a FighterBomber Squadron, was detailed to attack a massive enemy thrust at Longewala on the 5th and 6th December, 1971. Despite heavy and concentrated enemy ground fire, he successfully destroyed five enemy tanks as well as several gun positions and vehicles.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ramesh Chander Gosain displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Hemant Sharat Kumar Sardesai was serving with a Fighter Squadron. From 3rd December to 16th December 1971, he flew 11 sorties of counter air missions, 8 sorties of offensive air support missions and 3 sorties of air defensive missions. In one of the offensive support missions, he was responsible for locating and later directing an attack at well-camouflaged enemy headquarters bunkers between Rajinderganj and Mahenderganj which resulted in the capture of the enemy Headquarters and about 160 enemy personnel. In counter air operations, his contribution was unique. On 6th December, 1971, he was in the first bomb strike mission of the Squadron over Tezgaon Airfield, rendering it inoperative. On the night of 12th December 1971, he attacked a ghost Airfield at Narsingdi and followed the attack by day Bombing and rendered the airfield unusable. He was also in the formation that struck a vital military target in Dacca on the 14th December, 1971. He was also in the first formation that stricke enemy troop concentrations in Dacca University, which accelerated the surrender of Pakistani forces in Bangla Desh.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Hemant Sharat Kumar Sardesai displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

On 22nd November, 1971, at about 1450 hours order was given to intercept four Pakistani aircraft which had intruded into our territory. Flight Lieutenant Mandepanda Appachu Ganapathy who was detailed to fly as No. 3 in a formation of 4 Gnat aircraft proceeded to intercept the enemy. On sighting the enemy aircraft, he skillfully maneuvered his section and got behind one Sabre Jet and shot it down.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Mandepanda Appachu Ganapathy displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, as a pilot in a FighterBomber Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Singh flew 15 missions deep in the enemy territory in the face of heavy ground and air opposition. On the 17th December, 1971, he was ordered to undertake a photo reconnaissance mission which involved flying the aircraft at extreme range and over a target which was heavily defended. While he was over the target his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire resulting in leakage of fuel. Undeterred and in complete disregard to his personal safety he completed the mission flying the aircraft skillfully and landed safely with critical fuel state, and brought back vital information.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Ashok Kumar Singh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Jagdamba Prasad Saklani, as a pilot of a Fighter-Bomber Squadron, flew thirteen operational missions in support of our ground forces. In addition to the destruction of four tanks and one jeep, he successfully attacked Chander airfield, bombed enemy concentration of troops and tanks and also bombed Zaffarwal, inflicting heavy damage to the enemy.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Jagdamba Prasad Saklani displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistani in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aruna Kumar Datta flew several operational missions while serving with a detachment of a Fighter Squadron. On the 12th December, 19711, while he was escorting a strike mission, the leader of the escort mission spotted two enemy F-104 aircraft constituting direct threat to our strike force. Both the enemy aircraft were immediately engaged by Flight Lieutenant Datta and his leader. Flight Lieutenant Datta got behind one of the enemy aircraft but it rolled out and attempted to escape. With great skill he manoeuvred his aircraft behind the enemy and fired both his missiles at an interval of 3-4 seconds, and destroyed the enemy aircraft.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Aruna Kumar Datta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Dilip Kamalakar Dighe as a pilot of a FighterBomber Squadron, he flew fourteen sorties in support of our ground forces. On two of these missions, he spotted enemy tank concentrations. He immediately directed the formation on to the target and his own accurate shooting resulted in the destruction of four tanks, numerous enemy vehicles and two gun positions in Chhamb-Jaurian Sector.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Dilip Kamalakar Dighe displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

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

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

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rajendra Singh Wahi Gupta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji was serving with a helicopter unit. His Helicopter flown by him was attacked twice by machine gun and twice by mortars. He showed great presence of mind and brought back his aircraft to the base. On one occasion his helicopter had engine failure over enemy position, but he brought it safely to a post within our territory.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, as a pilot of a front line Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Kuldeep Singh Sahota flew thirteen missions in support of our ground forces. He destroyed four enemy tanks and a few heavy guns. On two occasions, information brought by him about enemy tank concentrations in Chhamb-Jaurian Sector resulted in planning of subsequent missions, which destroyed these enemy tanks.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Kuldeep Singh Sahota displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, on a number of night bombing attacks on vital targets deep inside enemy territory, Flight Lieutenant Yogendra Prasad Singh displayed navigational skill of a very high order in accurately navigating over difficult and unfamiliar terrain with determination in the face of heavy enemy opposition. His example of courage, determination and skill was a source of inspiration to other aircrews.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Yogendra Prasad Singh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Vijay Kumar Wahi was a pilot in a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On the 6th December, 1971, he was detailed as number two in an Air to Ground mission to Chhamb area. The target was heavily defended by anti aircraft guns and enemy aircraft but the destruction of this target was of vital important to our ground forces which were under heavy pressure. He pressed home the attacks and knocked out two enemy tanks. While returning from the mission, his aircraft was hit and he ejected sustaining fatal injuries.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Fredrick Pereira displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Winston Rabinder Sanjeeva Rao (10191) was attached to a Brigade in the Rajasthan area for duties as a forward Air Controller in the Air Contact Team of the Brigade. The duty of an Air Contact Team requires its members to position themselves at vantage points in the battle zones, from where they can see enemy targets, and to guide the pilots of attacking aircraft on to the desired targets by radio. On the 5th December, 1971, a platoon patrol of the Army came under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. A company of troops was rushed to help the patrol, and Flight Lieutenant Rao was detailed to accompany them. He rushed to the area on a camel and took up a position on a dominating sand dune, exposed to enemy fire, from where he could direct our aircraft on to the enemy positions. Again on the 7th December, 1971, a company of the Army was under heavy enemy fire at Saidan and asked for an air strike to take place at 1715 hours. Flight Lieutenant Rao volunteered to proceed to the spot to carry out FAC duties, although he knew that Saidan was 52 kilometers away across the desert, including 12 kilometers through enemy territory, and that it was already 1200 hours. He succeeded in reaching the road head at 1400 hours and then having organised a patrol led it himself, carrying his radio set along with him on a camel. He succeeded in reaching Saidan well in time to direct the air strike very successfully and returned to the Battalion Headquarter on the 11th December, 1971. On the 14th December, 1971, at about 1000 hrs, the Saidan defended position was surrounded by an enemy battalion, and by 1400 hours it came under heavy enemy pressure. Once more, Flight Lieutenant Rao volunteered to go to the area to dire strike aircraft against the besieging enemy troops. He left the Battalion Headquarters in a jeep with his radio set and after linking with a patrol from one of the companies, managed to get through to the surrounded Saidan position. The enemy attack was beaten back, but during the night, they built up again for another attack. An air strike was called for at 0830 hours on 15th December 1971, and this was excellently directed by Flight Lieutenant Rao as a result of which the enemy was forced to withdraw having suffered heavy casualties in men and equipment.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Winston Rabinder Sanjeeva Rao displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Vinayak Apte was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron. On 4th December 1971, he was detailed as Number Two on a tactical reconnaissance mission in Naya ChorUmarkot-Dhornaro area. Near Chor he observed enemy vehicle convoys moving towards Dhornaro Railway Station. He immediately went in for a front gun attack and scored direct hits on the vehicles. This mission then flew directly over Dhornaro Railway Station and once again he spotted a goods train being unloaded. He attacked the train despite concentrated ground fire and caused considerable damage. He pressed on with his third attack, but while pulling up his aircraft was hit and damaged by ground fire. He brought the damaged aircraft under control and headed for base, which was about 100 miles. Under compelling circumstances, he abandoned the aircraft. In this operation, he made the supreme sacrifice.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Vinayak Apte displayed gallantry and determination of a high order.

During the operation against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Donald Lazarus was serving with a Fighter Bomber Squadron. On 22nd November 1971, Flying Officer Lazarus was detailed to fly as No. 4 in a formation of four Gnat aircraft. The formation was ordered to intercept four hostile aircraft which had intruded into our territory. The formation leader maneuvered the formation to an advantageous position and engaged the introducing Sabre Jets. In the ensuing air Battle, Flying Officer Lazarus maintained his stations as number four ensuring the safety of his element leader. At one stage, when Flying Officer Lazarus noticed that one of the Sabre Jet was becoming a threat to his element leader, he maneuvered his own air craft with great skill and got behind the Sabre Jet and pressed home his attack till the Sabre Jet disintegrated in the mid air.

In this action, Flying Officer Donald Lazarus displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Kishan Lakhimal Malkani was serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadrons. On the 4th December, 1971, he was detailed to carry out a dusk strike mission over an enemy airfield. In spite of poor visibility over the target, he successfully carried out the attack and destroyed one blast pen. On the 5th December 1971, he was detailed as Number Two in a strike mission over an enemy Signals Unit. He attacked the Radar Unit and caused such extensive damage that the Radar Station never came on the air throughout the operations. In this operation he made the supreme sacrifice.

In this action, Flying Officer Kishan Lakhimal Malkani displayed gallantry, determination, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Ballachandra Chengapa Karumbaya was serving with Fighter-Bomber Squadron. He carried out two counter air day missions to enemy airfields and destroyed a heavy transport aircraft on the ground and also caused extensive damage to permanent airfield installation in the face of heavy ground fire.

In this action, Flying Officer Ballachandra Chengapa Karumbaya displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the Operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Shankarnarayanan Balasubramanian was serving as a pilot with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. On 4th and 5th December 1971 he flew deep day penetration operational missions to enemy airfield and successfully damaged enemy airfield on ground and other airfield installations despite heavy ground fire.

In this action, Flying Officer Shankarnarayanan Balasubramanian displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flying Officer Bartan Ramesh was serving with a Helicopter Unit. He carried out forty-five successful operational missions, some of which were in the heart of the battle area. During two of these missions he, with complete disregard to his personal safety, evacuated Army Battle casualties from forward Helipads in the Uri Sector in the face of constant shellings by the enemy.

Throughout, Flying Officer Bartan Ramesh displayed gallantry, professional skill and, devotion to duty of high order.

On 4th December 1971, Flying Officer Harish Masand was No. 3 in a 3 aircraft strike mission for attacking an enemy airfield. Just short of the target the formation was intercepted by two Pakistan Air Force Sabre aircraft. In the ensuing dogfight, he shot down one Sabre aircraft. He also undertook a number of Fighter Reconnaissance missions in the enemy territory and completed the tasks assigned to him.

Throughout, Flying Officer Harish Masand displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of high order.

During the operation against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Jai Singh Gahalawat as a pilot in a Fighter-Bomber Squadron, flew several operational missions against the enemy. On the 5th December he carried out a strike in Kathua sector and destroyed a bridge. On the 7th December, while on a close support mission, he des troyed a number of enemy tanks. During one of his missions his aircraft was badly hit by enemy ground fire but he remained calm and cool and brought the aircraft back safely. On the 9th December 1971, he was number two in a two aircraft formation when the formation was attacked by six enemy Mirages. He kept a good look around and gave full cover to and support to his leader. Even though 12 Air to Air missiles were fired at them by the enemy aircraft. The formation safely returned to base. On the 10th December while on a close air support mission in Chhamb sector he saw his leader being hit by ground fire and crashing but he remained unperturbed and pressed home his attack on the enemy concentration causing heavy damage.

Throughout, Flying Officer Jai Singh Gahalawat displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971 as a pilot in a Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Flying Officer Mohan Dikshit flew several sorties. He flew as a wingman on a strike mission and damaged a bridge in spite of heavy enemy defence. In the Pathankot sector he damaged four marshalling yards and the canal headworks. While on a close air support mission he destroyed few gun positions in the Chhamb area.

Throughout, Flying Officer Mohan Dikshit displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flying Officer Sukhdev Singh Dhillon flew as a pilot in a Helicopter unit and single-handed evacuated 87 battle casualties from the most difficult and hazardous terrain of Kargil sector in complete disregard to his personal safety. He carried out these evacuation missions in the face of heavy ground and air opposition.

Throughout, Flying Officer Sukhdev Singh Dhillon displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Parminder Paul Singh Kawatra (11383) was attached to a fighter squadron. He flew several missions including three as mission leader in Poonch, Uri, Tithwal and Kargil sectors. Despite limited experience on type he successfully completed all his missions. On the 15th and 16th December, 1971, while engaged in attacks at the enemy posts his aircraft engines flamed out but he continued the attack after relighting the engines. On the 15th December, 1971, during an enemy air raid on one of our airfields, the camouflage net covering a blast pen caught fire. He rushed to the spot and put off the fire despite the fact that enemy aircraft were still over head.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Parminder Paul Singh Kawatra displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Satish Chandra Sharma was attached to a Brigade in the Eastern Sector for duties as a Forward Air Controller in the Air Contact Team of the Brigade. On the 7th December, 1971, Flying Officer Sharma was detailed to accompany a Company which was airlifted by helicopter to a site behind the enemy occupied area at Sylhet. He landed at the helipad at 1700 hours with a small party and signal sets, under heavy enemy fire. He immediately took control fo the situation and brought his men safely to vantage point from where he directed the incoming helicopters sorties to strike enemy postions at the branch on river Surma and enemy Headquarters at Circuit House. This strike was so effective that the enemy did not fire for quite sometime. The enemy resumed its fire pressure at the subsequent landings on the morning of 8th December 1971. Flying Officer Sharma again went to a vantage point under heavy enemy shelling and successfully directed our bombers on the enemy positions and targets. These strikes were so accurate that the enemy firing ceased immediately. On the night of 8th/9th December, 1971, the enemy occupied positions around two of our forward block companies and engaged then with heavy MMG and mortar fire. Flying Officer Sharma again went to a vantage point and effectively directed our air strike. Undeterred by the enemy fire all around him, he led his escort party towards the forward company location. Enroute, he encountered a small enemy patrol, who fired at his party from a nearby grove. Though unfamiliar with infantry tactics, Flying Officer Sharma ordered his small party to attack the enemy, and personally led the charge on the enemy patrol. This spontaneous and swift action resulted in the death of two enemy personnel. Flying Officer Sharma and his party moved forward with confidence and reached a suitable vantage point close to the forward block company. From that position, he directed air attacks on the enemy occupied area. The air strikes were so accurate and effective that they disorganized enemy’s preparation for a possible attack on the forward block company.

Throughout, Flying Officer Satish Chandra Sharma displayed gallantry, leadership and professional skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Lieutenant Arun Prakash was on deputation to IAF. On the 4th Dec, 71, he led an IAF strike mission to an enemy airfield. In the mission he destroyed enemy’s heavy transport aircraft on ground and returned to base. On the 5th Dec 71, he led a deep strike penetration day ops strike into enemy territory and attacked an enemy airfield, heavily defended by air and ground forces. He destroyed enemy’s heavy transport aircraft, attacked troops and supplies and returned to base.

Throughout, Lieutenant Arun Prakash displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.