Vir Chakra (VrC)

Flight Lieutenant Virender Singh Pathania was one of the Gnat pilots who were sent to Pathankot to establish our air superiority in that region during the operations against Pakistan. He flew repeated missions seeking out Pakistani aircraft and engaging them. On 4 September 1965, during one such mission he came up against a formation of enemy Sabre jets and immediately engaged them in battle.

With great confidence and courage, he outmaneuvered the enemy all the time, got behind one of the enemy Sabres and shot it down. 

In this encounter, Flight Lieutenant Pathania displayed cool courage and firm determination in the best traditions of Air Force.