Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 9 December 1971 Captain Gurbaksh Singh Sihota was ordered to carry a reconnaissance party for the selection of a suitable landing site for helicopter borne operations in the Eastern Sector. Skillfully piloting his helicopter, he penetrated deep behind enemy occupied territory. During this reconnaissance, the helicopter was fired upon and hit by enemy small arms fire. Captain Sihota, however, brought the damaged aircraft safely back to a forward helipad. Although his helicopter was damaged, he undertook a mission to evacuate two serious casualties. Later, the same afternoon and in the same damaged helicopter, he led the first wave of the helicopter-borne operations and directed other helicopters to a safe landing. Throughout, Captain Sihota displayed courage, initiative and professional skill of a high order.