Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the hostilities with Pakistan in December 1971, Wing Commander Keshev Chandra Aggarwal was in command of an operational fighter squadron. He led a number of operational missions against enemy armour and troop concentrations in support of our ground forces. Though faced with heavy ground fire and air opposition, he pressed home his attacks and destroyed numerous vehicles and patrol dump. On 4 and 8 December, he undertook reconnaissance sorties in the Chor-Doronara areas and successfully located two trains carrying ammunition and destroyed them. On 6 December, he led a formation and destroyed a railway engine and fifteen wagons containing ammunition in the Chor-Doronara-Hasisar area. Again, on 9 December, he destroyed 15 wagons and damaged approximately 40 wagons at Mirpur Khas, thereby depriving the enemy of vital supplies.

Throughout the operations, Wing Commander Aggarwal displayed gallantry, leadership and flying skill of a high order.