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| Wing Co. D. Castellino |
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| Flt. Lt K. Praveen |
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| Fl Lt. Tapan Kapoor |
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| JWO AK Singh |
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| Sgt S. Yadav |
On 30 Apr 13, he was authorized to fly a practice diversion sortie by night on a MiG-21 Bison aircraft to Halwara as a part of his syllabus. Approximately 60 Km inbound to Halwara, the battery heavy discharge light came on along with the Master Blinker indicating a failure of the electrical system of the aircraft. This resulted in all the cockpit lights slowly fading away and it became difficult for the pilot to read the instruments which are required for safe operation of the aircraft. Maintaining his composure and understanding the gravity of the emergency, Wg Cdr Aditya Prakash lowered the undercarriage and flaps to take off position as this would not be possible once the electrical system failed totally. The officer had only the pressure instruments and the global positioning system to help him execute the landing. At this stage, disregarding his personal safety, he took a decision to take off his mask and hold the torch in his mouth to illuminate the instruments. In this manner, he was able to view the instruments, execute a flawless partial flap landing and recover the aircraft without any damage.
On 23 Jun 13, he was informed about a group of foreign nationals stranded in the middle of gushing Bhagirathi river near Harsil, which had already crossed the danger mark. The river was swelling by the hour and delay could have cost precious lives. On receipt of this information he took on the onerous job of rescuing these people.
His exceptional professional acumen and meticulous planning led to valiant execution of challenging missions for evacuating of pilgrims of Kedarnath. Regardless of personal comfort and safety, he flew tirelessly throughout the Op Rahat in the challenging environment under hostile weather conditions and landed at hazardous sites. He also carried out drops of 24 tons of ration and medicines. To exploit the limited window of weather and to increase the load carrying capability, he modified his helicopter to carry out a free drop of wood for the mass cremation at Kedarnath bowl. His gallant and selfless efforts during the initial phase of Op-Rahat paved the way for launch of one of the greatest rescue operations by helicopter in history.
The IAF was called to the aid of civil power to undertake rescue and evacuation operations during OP RAHAT after a massive cloud burst resulted in extensive flooding accompanied by landslides in the state of Uttarakhand. The IAF Special Force Garuds, led by Sqn Ldr Vinay Bhal were inducted to undertake search and rescue operation in the affected area.
On 20 Jun 13, Wg Cdr Naidu winched down two civilian mountaineers on a small ledge surrounded by high obstruction and high tension cable near ‘Jungle Chatti’. Subsequently, he also winched down another 10 ITBP personnel equipped with critical equipment required to prepare a makeshift helipad. This courageous and skillful operation paved the way for other helicopters to land at the ‘Jungle Chatti’ ledge and eventually resulted in evacuating more than 700 stranded pilgrims. 
On 21 Jun 13, the detachment was tasked to drop food packets in the Kedarnath valley. Sqn Ldr Takawale got airborne within minutes of getting SOS call and commenced his food dropping mission. While dropping relief material, he heard a distress call from a civil helicopter which had crashed and was on fire in the treacherous terrain of Jungle Chatti. Despite not being prepared for a casualty evacuation mission, the officer on receiving a SOS call displayed good leadership qualities and took a courageous decision to proceed to crash site. Though this was his first sortie in the area, he was quick to correlate the map and displayed exceptional navigations skills in locating the crash site within 10 minutes of the crash. He noticed that the crashed helicopter was at a site which posed many dangers like dense HT and LT cables, electrical poles, narrow valley, thick vegetation and absolutely no place to land. The inhospitable terrain coupled with adverse wind conditions left him with no margins for error. However, he remained undeterred and after a quick in-flight briefing decided to winch up the casualty. He did all this with extreme confidence and without compromising flight safety. This mission definitely enhanced IAF’s image as being ever ready to provide succour to the affected.
Squadron Leader Anupam Dey Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Chetak Helicopter unit since 04 Jun 12 and has been performing the duties of a Fully Operational Pilot.
On 17 Jun 13, the unit was tasked to position three helicopters at Dehradun to undertake relief operations towards ‘Op Rahat’. With a dedicated aim in mind, he and his team flew vigorously in the flood hit areas, averaging 15 sorties per day and rescued 490 stranded pilgrims/locals in addition to dropping over 50 tons of relief material in the Kedarnath Valley without an accident / incident.
Wing Commander Ravi Chandrashekhar Pathak, VM Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 16 Dec 95 and is Commanding the Sarang Display Team at Air Force Station Sulur. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor. He has flown over 4100 hrs o 21 different types of aircraft.
Gp Capt Yadav was detailed as Detachment Commander at Dharasu during Op Rahat. On reaching there, he immediately took stock of the situation and correctly ascertained that the operations would be hampered due to shortage of fuel. Based on his analysis, he along with his team worked relentlessly through the night on 21 Jun 2013 to prepare the unused Advanced Landing Ground to enable the C-130J to land. 
At a time when the unit was undergoing induction of ALH MK-III and with shortage of experienced aircrew for the new aircraft, he led by example and was one of the first to fly the new machine in the treacherous operating conditions of Operation Rahat. He flew extensively in the flood hit area in Kedarnath valley and rescued numerous stranded pilgrims while operating from Gauchar, Gupkashi and Joshimath helipads.
On 21 Jun 2013, Wg Cdr Vinod Negi was tasked to evacuate stranded pilgrims from Kedarnath valley. Having flown several rescue missions over the previous day, he realized that thousands of people were stranded at Jungle Chatti which is at an elevation of 7500 feet and their only hope of survival was through air evacuation. During entire Op Rahat, he displayed exceptional courage, flew 102 sorties, rescued 584 personnel and inducted eight tons of relief material.
On 18 Jun 13, at 0530h, he was tasked to proceed to Phata helipad in Kedarnath valley for evacuation of stranded pilgrims, Assessing the weather, he took off immediately and reached Phata. Without switching off, he picked up relief packets and got airborne for Kedarnath valley. Spotting a clear path near Rambada, with just enough space for rotor clearance and with only adequate space for one skid on ground, he boldly carried out a low hover to pick up old and injured pilgrims. He ensured a quick turnaround and carried out continuous shuttles to rescue 45 civilians and drop 900 Kgs of ration on the first day.On Republic Day – 2014, eight Army personnels were conferred with
Chakra series gallantry awards. One personnel was awarded the Kirti
Chakra, while seven others were conferred with Shaurya Chakras for
displaying conspicuous gallantry in operations.
Kirti Chakra
Nb Sub Bhupal Singh Chhantel Magar, 5/5 Gorkha Rifles.
Shaurya Chakra
Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjit Singh (Posthumous), 16th
CAVALRY.
Major Mandeep Singh Ghumman, 1 Assam Rifles.
Major Gaurav Thakur, 24 Rashtriya Rifles (BIHAR).
Captain Sandeep Bhartiya, 17 JAT.
Captain Mahabir Singh, 9 PARA (SF).
Sepoy Lallawmzuala, 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RAJPUTANA RIFLES).
Sepoy Ran Bahadur Gurung (Posthumous) , 5/5 Gorkha Rifles.
Nb Sub Bhupal Singh Chhantel Magar of 5/5 Gorkha Rifles has been
awarded “Kirti Chakra” for displaying exceptional bravery, raw courage
and junior leadership beyond the call of duty, in successful counter
infiltration operations along the Line of Control in J&K. Nb Sub Bhupal
Singh Chhantel Magar is a resident of Rupendehi District of Nepal.
On 31 August 2013, while guarding a crucial gap along the Line of
Control in Kupwara District, Nb Sub Bhupal Singh Chhantel Magar spotted
movement of six heavily armed terrorists. Displaying remarkable presence
of mind, he immediately side-stepped his position in rugged and boulders
ridden terrain and closed in towards the terrorists, despite being under fire.
The gallant soldier displaying nerves of steel, fired a long burst, killing one
terrorist. Displaying raw courage, he pursued the second terrorist and
injured him. While the injured terrorist was hiding behind a boulder, the
Junior Commissioned Officer, unmindful of his personal safety, charged
towards the terrorist and killed him.
Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjit Singh, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)
Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjit Singh of 16th
been awarded “Shaurya Chakra” (Posthumous) for his speedy, tactically
sound actions, courageous and bold leadership in the face of mortal
danger and for acting swiftly without waiting for a weapon or protective
gear, acting well beyond the call of duty, in the highest traditions of the
Indian Army in Counter Terrorist Operations in Samba (J&K). Lieutenant
Colonel Bikramjit Singh is a resident of Chandigarh, Punjab.
On 26 Sep 2013 at approximately 07:15 AM, Lieutenant Colonel
Bikram Jit Singh on hearing the sound of automatic weapons near the
Officers’ Mess Complex, rushed to the site. He spotted a terrorist hiding in
a Nala, bringing down fire and attempting to break out towards the adjacent
family accommodation. Despite presence of armed terrorists, the officer
moved from one position to another, shouting instructions and directing
action against the terrorist. His prompt and fearless actions dislodged the
terrorist from an effective firing position, forcing the terrorist to seek cover
in a room, leading to his eventual elimination. While undertaking these
actions the officer was unmindful of his personal safety and the fact that he
was unarmed. The officer suffered fatal gunshot injuries during the period.
By his actions, the officer prevented the breakout of the terrorists towards
the Officers’ Married Accommodation Complex and provided time for the
Unit Quick Reaction Team to move into a tight cordon. His actions
prevented loss of further lives, especially those of unarmed women and
Major Mandeep Singh Ghumman, Shaurya Chakra
awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for act of extraordinary bravery, conspicuous
courage and selfless devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in anti
terrorist operations in the North East. Major Mandeep Singh Ghumman is a
resident of Pathankot, Punjab.
On 08 May 2013, based on specific intelligence, the officer led a
small team to a village located on top of a hill. On reaching the suspected
location, the column came under heavy fire from inside a house. The
officer did not retaliate immediately to avoid civilian casualty. One terrorist
who jumped out of the window firing indiscriminately was chased and
eliminated from close range by the officer with disregard to personal safety.
Another terrorist firing from the neighbouring house had pinned down the
officer’s party. Sensing danger to own troops, the officer, making use of the
undulating ground, rushed to the site. In a brazen act of valour, the officer
charged at the second terrorist and eliminated him.
Major Gaurav Thakur, Shaurya Chakra
awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for displaying indomitable courage, tactical
acumen, exemplary leadership and selfless devotion to duty. He was
instrumental in generating actionable intelligence, innovative siting of
ambush and tactical deployment of various parties, which ultimately led to
elimination of five hardcore terrorists. Major Gaurav Thakur is a resident of
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
On 30 August 2013, sensing suspicious movement near the bridge,
as assault team commander, he challenged the terrorists who opened
indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades onto the ambush party and tried to
escape. The officer, displaying raw courage, grit and extraordinary field
craft, chased the fleeing terrorists in order to maintain contact. He came
under heavy volume of fire from one terrorist and chased him to a distance
of 50 meters in open terrain. In an act of conspicuous bravery, against
fearful odds unmindful of his own safety, he closed in and lobbed a
grenade from a very close range killing the terrorist instantly.
Captain Sandeep Bhartiya, Shaurya Chakra
Chakra” for displaying exemplary bravery, courage and leadership in the
face of the enemy, showing utter disregard to personal safety in anti
terrorist operations on the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K. Captain Sandeep
Bhartiya is a resident of Munger, Bihar.
On 31 May 2013, Captain Sandeep observed movement of three to
four terrorists in a dense area. He immediately took a party of four other
ranks and occupied a suitable ambush point. At approximately 11:45 PM,
as the terrorists drew closer to the fence, Captain Sandeep opened fire.
The terrorists retaliated with heavy volume of fire and taking cover of the
thickly wooded area, tried to extricate themselves. Throughout the night,
Captain Sandeep ensured that the terrorists were fixed, by fire, at the same
spot. Close to first light, the terrorist group made another attempt to
escape, by firing heavily. The officer, instead of taking cover, changed
position to fire at one militant and killed him. The operation continued till
the next day and a total of three militants were killed.
Captain Mahabir Singh, Shaurya Chakra
awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for displaying exemplary leadership, raw
courage and conspicuous gallantry in face of grave personal danger and
personally eliminating one hard core terrorist in anti terrorist operations in
Samba (J&K). Captain Mahabir Singh is a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab.
On 26 September 2013, Captain Mahabir was tasked to clear
terrorists from unit lines during a Fidayeen attack. As the troops
commenced clearing operations, they came under heavy small-arms and
grenade fire from an adjacent building. Sensing grave threat to the entire
operation and proximity of family quarters in close vicinity, Captain
Mahabir, unmindful of his personal safety, charged into the building to
engage the terrorists. Displaying sheer courage and exemplary field-craft,
he manoeuvered to engage the terrorists at extreme close quarters. He
moved from room to room, closing down their escape routes and shot dead
one terrorist at point-blank range, thereby completely disorganising their
will to resist. This singular action by the officer ensured safety of the entire
team, prevented further collateral damage and minimised casualties during
the entire operation.
Sepoy Lallawmzuala, Shaurya Chakra
has been awarded “Shaurya Chakra” for his conspicuous act of bravery
beyond the call of duty in anti terrorist operations in J&K. Sepoy
Lallawmzuala is a resident of Mamit, Mizoram.
On 23 July 2013, Sepoy Lallawmzuala was part of the inner cordon
deployed at night during search operation based on intelligence about
presence of a terrorist in a house. On commencement of search at
approximately 6:30 AM, Sepoy Lallawmzuala was amongst the first to
enter the house. His deliberate and methodical search revealed the
presence of an armed terrorist in a well concealed hideout behind planks
and loose earth in the house. Upon being discovered the terrorist opened
indiscriminate fire, however, the soldier’s alacrity and outstanding use of
field craft enabled him to manoeuvre to an advantageous position within
three metres of the terrorist. His courage under fire, calm collected actions
and outstanding fire control led to elimination of a top commander of Jaish-
e-Mohammad. His actions ensured that the balance of the search party
received critical warning at the opportune time, resulting in effective
covering fire and no casualty to own troops.
Sepoy Ran Bahadur Gurung, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)
“Shaurya Chakra” (Posthumous) for displaying exceptional resilience,
commitment and epic bravery during counter infiltration operations along
the Line of Control in J&K. Sepoy Ran Bahadur Gurung is a resident of
Kaski District of Nepal.
On 31 Jul 2013, the individual was part of the surveillance
detachment deployed in boulders and steep cliffs. Despite being in
virtually cramped position for four days during inclement weather, the brave
soldier maintained sharp vigilance. On 03 August 2013 at approximately
5:30 AM, he sensed some movement in the fog and alerted his party.
Suddenly, the terrorist opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed two grenades
towards the neighbouring team. Sensing threat to his colleagues Sepoy
Ran Bahadur Gurung fired at the terrorist and crawled closer towards him.
This action diverted the terrorist’s attention who charged towards Sepoy
Ran Bahadur Gurung and lobbed another grenade. Displaying steely
nerves, Sepoy Ran Bahadur Gurung kept engaging the terrorist, giving
crucial time for neighbouring team to readjust. However, another burst by
the terrorist caused a fatal injury to the gallant soldier, who sacrificed his
life in the defence of the Nation.