During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aditya Vikram Pethia served with a fighter bomber squadron in the Western Sector. On 5 December, he was detailed as a leader of tactical reconnaissance mission over Chistian Mandi to seek and destroy enemy armoured vehicles. He spotted a train transporting about 15 tanks. Despite heavy enemy ground fire, he made two attacks on the train and destroyed two tanks. Unmindful of his personal safety he made another attack to silence an enemy anti-aircraft gun. However, in this attack his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed.

Flight Lieutenant Pethia displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.