Vir Chakra (VrC)

Captain Prem Nath Bhatia was at a forward observation post immediately behind the leading companies of his unit, which had put in a counter-attack on the Chinese in NEFA on 14 November 1962. On 15 November, the enemy launched a fierce counter-attack. The forward companies were forced to give ground, but Captain Bhatia, instead of falling back, remained in the observation post position. He had with him only four men and a light machine gun. When the enemy approached the position, he opened fire on them and inflicted heavy casualties. The enemy repeatedly tried to breakthrough his position but due to the tenacity displayed by him and his few men, did not succeed in advancing except at a snail's pace.

Exposing himself to enemy fire, Captain Bhatia kept moving from flank to flank taking the light machine gun and personally directing its fire. When one of his men was wounded, Captain Bhatia took his place and fed ammunition into the gun. It was due to his leadership and gallantry that his men fought gallantly for several hours against heavy odds and delayed the advance of the enemy. Finally Captain Bhatia was evacuated only after he had been seriously wounded by a grenade.