Vir Chakra (VrC)

Gunner Bhadreswar Pathak was carrying out the duties of ammunition number in a detachment of an air defence regiment deployed for the protection of a medium regiment gun area in the Western Sector. On 7 December 1971, the medium regiment gun area was attacked by two enemy MIG-19 aircraft. The air defence gun immediately opened intense fire on the enemy aircraft. To silence the gun the enemy aircraft started strafing the gun at low level. Throughout the attack, Gunner Pathak with complete disregard for his life and safety kept on supplying ammunition to the gun resulting in the destruction of one of the enemy aircraft. Next day five enemies F-86 Sabres again attacked his gun position. Gunner Pathak kept on supplying ammunition till he was hit by a bullet. Though injured, he refused to be evacuated and stayed on at his post till he succumbed to his injuries. 

Throughout, Gunner Pathak displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.