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Gazette Notification: 37Pres/88 , 15-4-88
Operation: Op Savage (Sikkim)
Date of Award: 30 Apr 1968

Citation:

Squadron Leader T.K. Vinayraj, mature and exceptional helicopter pilot with over 5000 hours of operational flying to his credit, was on the posted strength of 112 helicopter unit. He has been a part of the Indian Air Force of the Indian peacekeeping Force (IPKF) throughout the "Operation Pawan" and had done extensive flying in Jaffana peninsula. At midnight on 11 October 1987, he was leader of four MI-18 helicopter formation involved in a critical special heliborne operation. The pre-designated helipad located in the middle of militant base was under heavy machine gun fire by the militants, but it did not deter Squadron Leader Vinayraj from accomplishing the entire mission of landing commandos.

Though the helicopter was continuously hit by bullets, he displayed outstanding grit and courage and returning repeatedly to complete three successful missions with utter disregard to personal safety. By the end of the third mission even though the helicopter suffered extensive damage, he succeeded in flying the machine back to base with great professional skill and thus displayed conspicuous gallantry and professional competence in the finest traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Click here for Awardee's details