During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Winston Rabinder Sanjeeva Rao was attached to a brigade in the Rajasthan area for duties as a forward air controller in the air contact team. On 5 December, a platoon came under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. A company was rushed to help the patrol, and Flight Lieutenant Rao was detailed to accompany them. He rushed to the area on a camel and took up a position on a dominating sand dune, exposed to enemy positions so that he could effectively direct air strikes. He repeated this feat on 7, 11, 14 and 15 December and the air strikes forced the enemy to withdraw with heavy casualties in men and equipment.

 

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