Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Man Mohan Singh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January 1951. During the India-Pakistan conflict of December, 1971, he was in command of an Operational Fighter Squadron in the Eastern Sector. His squadron flew 110 sorties in Bangladesh in close support and anti-shipping roles and met all its operational commitments without damage to any of its aircraft. He personally led 19 sorties and successfully engaged enemy defence positions, gun boats and ships despite heavy ground fire. When the heliborne operations across the Maghana river commenced, his squadron provided very effective air cover for the successful completion of the task. In addition, the squadron provided valuable support to the Army in Agartala Sector inspite of the fact that the aircraft had to operate from a short runway at Agartala.

Throughout the operations, he displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Dhirendra Singh Jafa served with a FighterBomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 4th December, 1971, when the enemy had encircled a Battalion of our troops in a small enclave in the Hussainiwala area and was pressing hard with tanks, he led a two aircraft formation in this area. He carried out over 12 attacks and personally destroyed or damaged seven enemy tanks and a jeep. This action blunted the enemy assault and enabled our encircled troops to extricate themselves with minimum casualties. On 5th December, 1971, he was detailed as the Sub-Section Leader of a four aircraft strike mission over the enemy gun positions which were constantly shelling our positions in an area in the west of Amritsar. Despite the heavy ground fire from the enemy guns, he carried out successful attacks until in his sixth attack his aircraft was hit by ground fire and he had to eject at a very low altitude.

In this action, Squadron Leader Dhirendra Singh Jafa displayed gallantry and leadership of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Apramjeet Singh was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air force in June 1963. During the Indo-Pakistan conflict of December, 1971, he flew 21 operational sorties consisting of escort and sweep missions, deep inside enemy territory. On 8th December 1971, while flying as Number two in the Chhamb Sector, his formation encountered heavy enemy ground fire in which his leader was shot down. His aircraft was also hit and sustained heavy damage. Despite the fact that the aircraft had become almost uncontrollable, due to damage to its port wing, and many other systems becoming unserviceable, he displayed exemplary skill and courage in bringing his aircraft back to base safely.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Apramjeet Singh displayed gallantry and professional skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Melvinder Singh Grewal served with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 4th December, 1971, he was detailed as a member of a four aircraft strike mission over the enemy airfield ‘Shorkot Road’. He successfully carried out the mission destroying one aircraft on ground and damaging a building. The same day, in the evening, he carried out another strike mission. As a member of a formation over the same airfield, he pressed the attack despite heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. However, in this attack his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed.

Flight Lieutenant Melvinder Singh Grewal displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aditya Vikram Pethia served with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 5th December, 1971, he was detailed as leader of a tactical reconnaissance mission over Chistian Mandi to seek and destroy enemy armour vehicles. He spotted a train moving towards Bhaval Nagar transporting about 15 tanks. Despite heavy enemy ground fire, he made two attacks on the train and destroyed two enemy trains. Unmindful of his personal safety, he made another attack to silence the enemy anti-aircraft gun. However, his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed.

Flight Lieutenant Aditya Vikram Pethia displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flying Officer Kariyadil Cheriyan Kuruvilla served with a FighterBomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 4th December, 1971, he carried out a strike mission over Chander airfield and successfully attacked enemy aircraft on ground and airfield installations. On 5th December, 1971, he flew another strike mission over Chistian Mandi, scored a direct hit on the engine of a train and inflicted heavy damages to the train despite intensive Antiaircraft fire. Again, on 6th December, 1971, he undertook another strike mission over Dera Baba Nanak area and attacked enemy tank concentrations. During this attack, while making a second pass over the target, his aircraft was hit by the enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed.

Flying Officer Kariyadil Cheriyan Kuruvilla displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.