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Gazette Notification: 23 Pres/89,26.1.89
Operation: Op Savage (Sikkim)
Date of Award: 19 Oct 1989

Citation:

Wing Commander Chandra Datt Upadhyay was deployed as the 'Type Force Commander' of the Pratap Fleet of Indian Air Force Element of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka from 19 October, 1987to 3 November, 1987 when the IPKF was engaged in fierce battle with the militants for control of Jaffna town.

On 19 October 1987 and again on 20 October 1987, Wing Commander Upadhyay carried out sorties to take rations, petrol, oil and ammunition for the advancing Army column and evacuate casualties. He carried out the mission by landing on an open field, which was under fire from all sides.

On 21 October 1987, a single helicopter special mission of para commando force was dropped at Achuvail and then para commandos and prisoners were picked up from Puttur West. During take-off from the ground at Puttur West, his helicopter was fired at by the militants by machine gun and rockets. One rocket damaged the trailing edge of a rotor blade causing severe vibration. The helicopter went out of control and started descending rapidly. Wing Commander. Upadhyay, showing great professional skill, controlled the helicopter only a few feet above the ground, turned back and landed the stricken helicopter in the same field. All the passengers and crew took shelter in ditches. 0nce.the crossfire ceased he inspected the helicopter. Since the damage was very light, he re-started the helicopter, boarded the passengers and managed to fly it back at low speed to the airfield, thus, saving valuable lives and a helicopter.

Wing Commander Chandra Datt Upadhyay, thus, displayed exceptional professional skill, extreme devotion to duty and courage in the face of the militants in Sri Lanka.

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