Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron Leader Ghanshyam Singh Thapa served with a bomber squadron. He was the lead navigator of a formation of four bombers that carried out the first bombing attack deep into enemy territory on the well-defended Pakistan Air Force base of Masroor. He navigated the aircraft to the target despite heavy ground fire and dropped all the bombs with pinpoint precision, causing heavy damage.

In this action, Squadron Leader Thapa displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.