During operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Arun Laxman Deoskar was a pilot in a fighter bomber squadron. He carried out a day counter air mission on any enemy airfield deep inside enemy territory and destroyed two aircraft on ground despite heavy enemy ground fire. On an earlier occasion, he had attacked an enemy airfield and damaged its installations. On his way back from this mission, he was engaged by a high performance enemy aircraft. Though his aircraft was damaged, he brought it back safely to base.

Throughout the operations, Flight Lieutenant Deoskar displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.