Group Captain Perminder Antil (26686) Flying (Pilot) is the Commanding Officer of a Su-30 MKI Squadron since January 2020. On 21 September 2020, during a sortie from the front cockpit of a Su-30 aircraft, he experienced unprecedented and vicious oscillations in the longitudinal and lateral planes with gravitational forces rapidly varying from +9G to -1.5G, coupled with the aircraft uncontrollably banking to the left and other control failure indications. Overcoming ‘black-out’ conditions encountered due to the extremely high ‘G’ conditions, he manually dampened the aircraft oscillations and also checked the safety of his weapon system operator.

While controlling the aircraft, he turned away from populated area to ensure no loss of civilian life or property in case of a probable ejection. As he initiated a priority recovery, the aircraft once again encountered vicious oscillations, with the control of the aircraft requiring large amount of pressures on the control column by the pilot. The officer applied his superior systems knowledge and opted for some unconventional recovery actions.

As a result of his judgement and skilful handling, the oscillations reduced and the aircraft was recovered safely. During these life-threatening circumstances, the pilot maintained his composure, displayed exemplary courage and maintained his presence of mind. His superior piloting skills ensured safety of a national asset worth hundreds of crores of Rupees and precluded possible damage to life and property on ground in case of an ejection.  

For this act of exceptional gallantry, exemplary standards of professionalism and contribution to aerospace safety, Group Captain Perminder Antil has been conferred with the Shaurya Chakra.

Wing Commander Varun Singh (27987) Flying (Pilot) is a pilot in a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron. On 12 Oct 20, he was flying a system check sortie in LCA, away from parent base, after major rectification of Flight Control System (FCS) and pressurisation system (life support environment control system).

During the sortie, the cockpit pressurisation failed at high altitude. He correctly identified the failure and initiated a descent to lower altitude for landing.  While descending, the Flight Control System failed and led to total loss of control of the aircraft.  This was an unprecedented catastrophic failure that had never occurred.

There was a rapid loss of altitude while in usual attitude, with the aircraft pitching up and down viciously going to the extremities of G limits. Despite being in extreme physical and mental stress in an extreme life-threatening situation, he maintained exemplary composure and regained control of the aircraft, thereby exhibiting exceptional flying skill. Soon thereafter, at about 10,000 feet, the aircraft again experienced total loss of control with vicious manoeuvring and uncontrollable pitching. Under such a scenario, the pilot was at liberty to abandon aircraft.

Faced with a potential hazard to his own life, he displayed extraordinary courage and skill to safely land the fighter aircraft. The pilot went beyond the call of duty and landed the aircraft taking calculated risks.  This allowed an accurate analysis of the fault on the indigenously designed fighter and further institution of preventive measures against recurrence. Due to his high order of professionalism, composure and quick decision making, even at the peril to his life, he not only averted the loss of an LCA, but also safeguarded civilian property and population on ground.

For this act of exceptional gallantry, Wg Cdr Varun Singh is conferred with the Shaurya Chakra.

On 09 June 2020, Major Arun Kumar Pandey received a specific intelligence of five terrorists in a village of Jammu and Kashmir. As mission leader, based upon in depth knowledge of terrain and deep sense of terrorist modus operandi, he was able to pin point likely location of the terrorists in huge orchard with dense undergrowth.

Major Arun, based on his appreciation, sited a gap free cordon and led the search for terrorists. He observed suspicious movement in the dense undergrowth, towards which he advanced tactically with his buddy. Suddenly, he came under indiscriminate fire from the hidden terrorist, which he retaliated after taking cover in the folds of ground.

Unmindful of his safety, he crawled forward through the burst of terrorist fire and neutralized him by own fire. In doing so, he came in line of fire of another terrorist. Major Arun swiftly rolled sideways and moved forward to engage him at close quarter, thereby neutralizing him.

For his outstanding leadership and unparalleled courage wherein he neutralized two hardcore terrorists, Major Arun Kumar Pandey is recommended for the award of “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.

Since April 2019, Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary participated and exhibited exceptional resoluteness, unsurpassed fortitude and supreme leadership qualities during conduct of four successful operations of Battalion, resulting in elimination of 13 terrorists.

On 02 June 2020, specific input about presence of three terrorists in a Village of Jammu and Kashmir was received. Once presence of terrorists was confirmed on 03 June 2020 at 0620 hours, the officer showcasing superb puissance and exemplary leadership, re-aligned the cordon. To draw the attention of hiding terrorists, Officer alongwith his
buddy crawled forward under intense terrorist fire. Realising this, hiding terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and fired Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) Grenades and rushed out in a bid to escape. Appreciating grave danger to his buddy, displaying unflinching courage, he pushed him aside, exposing himself to heavy terrorist fire.

Maintaining his tactical composure, officer effectively engaged fleeing terrorists at close range resulting in elimination of one terrorist and grievously injuring other terrorist. For displaying conspicuous bravery and unparalleled courage resulting in elimination of one dreaded terrorist, Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary is recommended for the award of “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.

Officer whilst on a special task of area domination patrol in Jammu & Kashmir under the challenging terrain at Height of 12000 feet in subzero temperature in the upper reaches of Peer Panjal Range under the odds of inclement weather covered approx Four Kilometers of distance at night of 12/13 December 2020 spotted foot trails on the fresh snow, displayed a high degree of initiative immediately following upon the foot trails detected the presence of terrorists holed-up in a dhok, cordoned the area by tactically siting the stops thereby blocking the exit routes, paving the way for culmination of operation, neutralization of two terrorists and apprehension of one terrorist.

On 12 December, the officer displaying nerves of steel alongwith his buddy Naik Gurdeep Singh maintained vigil of target dhok throughout night and on 13 December 2020 successfully effected the apprehension of one local terrorist. During the ensuing firefight, he brought down effective Light Machine Gun fire alongwith Lance Naik Khushkarn Singh
despite heavy retaliation, successfully eliminated one foreign terrorist.

For the gallant action, dynamic leadership and raw courage displayed by the officer in the Operation, Capt Vikas Khatri is recommended for the award of “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.

Rifleman Mukesh Kumar was part of cordon and search operation launched on 16 July at 2345 hours based on specific intelligence of likely presence of terrorists in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmir.

At 0510 hours, as civilians were being evacuated from the target house, Rifleman Mukesh received a radio call of a suspect approaching his side of the cordon. Rifleman Mukesh controlled own fire to prevent casualty to civilians but was mentally alert to discern a weapon that a civilian was concealing under his clothing. On being challenged, the civilian, who was a terrorist, attempted to draw up his weapon to fire but Rifleman Mukesh physically wrestled with the terrorist, who was shocked by the ferocity of the assault.

He kept attacking the terrorist with the butt of his weapon inspite of sustaining a Gunshot wound. Unmindful of his injuries, Rifleman Mukesh neutralised the terrorist from point blank range ensuring no injuries to own troops or the civilians.

For displaying exceptional courage and valour, inspite of sustaining gunshot injury, to indulge in a hand-to-hand duel and to eliminate terrorist, Rifleman Mukesh Kumar is recommended for the award of “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.

On 20 Jun 2020 Sepoy Neeraj Ahlawat was part of the initial cordon during an Operation in Jammu and Kashmir, in which one hardcore Pakistani terrorist was eliminated.

At approximately 1650 hours, a keen and alert Sepoy Neeraj observed terrorists firing indiscriminately towards the inner cordon in a bid to escape, taking cover behind civilians, using them as human shields. Exercising extreme restraint and displaying composure in the face of a rapidly escalating situation, Sepoy Neeraj waited for an
opportune moment and fired accurately on the fleeing terrorists. One of the terrorists was eliminated on the spot.

The second terrorist opened heavy fire towards Sepoy Neeraj at close range. Despite grave danger, Sepoy Neeraj showed indomitable courage to hold onto his position and continued engaging the second terrorist, injuring him and damaging his sophisticated M-4 Assault Rifle, which he was compelled to abandon. The gallant actions of Sepoy Neeraj led to elimination of a Pakistani terrorist. For displaying exceptional gallantry beyond call of duty and nerves of steel, Sepoy Neeraj Ahlawat is recommended for the award of “SHAURYA CHAKRA”.

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