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Gazette Notification: 63 Pres/2000, 26.1.2000
Operation: Op Savage (Sikkim)
Date of Award: 2000

Citation:

On 13 May 1999, Major Prabhu Nath Prasad, as Captain of the helicopter, was on an aerial reconnaissance mission to locate intrusions in Drass Sub-sector. Taking clue from a foot track on snow coming in from across the LOC, he, in a daredevil venture, followed it to the black rock feature at a height of about 14,700 feet adjacent to the Tololing height against heavy enemy machine gun fire. No sooner he had closed in while orbiting, and was in the eyeball contact with 15 to 20 intruders, they fired a rocket at the helicopter when it was barely 300 metres away 

With his unparalleled reflex action, undaunted courage and grit, Major Prasad instantly dipped the helicopter nose down and with that appreciable increase in speed out manoeuvred the rocket which went past the tail of the helicopter missing it just by 10-15 metres.

Displaying exceptional presence of mind and tactful flying skill, he immediately turned the helicopter with steep back in the reciprocal direction to get out of the killing ground/airspace and flew back to immediately call for artillery fire. 

He then brought in accurate artillery fire of 40 rounds from Bofors guns. Despite continuously being engaged by machine gun fire from enemy position at Tololing and interference by an armed Puma helicopter of the enemy which intruded overhead during the air shoot, Major Prabhu Nath Prasad neutralised and destroyed the enemy position lulling 7 to 10 intruders within just 20-25 minutes of the rocket attack. Having suffered this great loss, the intruders were forced to abandon the feature by the next day.

Major Prabhu Nath Prasad, thus, showed exemplary courage and dedication beyond the call of duty in the presence of the enemy.

Click here for Awardee's details