On 6 September 1965, Flight Lieutenant Dev Nath Rathore was detailed as leader of a section of two aircraft to carry out a dusk combat air patrol over Halwara airfield. The airfield was subjected to an attack by four Pakistani Sabres, which had also engaged two of our aircraft orbiting the airfield. In complete disregard of his personal safety, Flight Lieutenant Rathore flew his section, engaged one of the enemy aircraft and shot it down.
The courage and leadership displayed by Flight Lieutenant Rathore in this combat were in the best traditions of the Air Force.