Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the conflict with Pakistan in December 1971 Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Sachdeva served with a fighter bomber squadron. On 4 December, he carried out attacks against very heavily defended targets at Chittagong and later destroyed seven trains, carrying vital supplies to the Pakistani forward positions, at Laksham. He flew 15 operational sorties in six days and destroyed a number of ships, tanks, gun positions, bunkers, trains and fuel tanks in the face of heavy ground fire. He landed back with serious bullet holes in the aircraft on two occasions. On 10 December while carrying out a sortie, his engine flamed out after an attack on an enemy boat and his aircraft crashed killing him.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Sachdeva displayed gallantry, leadership, determination and flying skill of a high order.