Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Bhatia was serving in an operational squadron in the Lahore Sector. He flew 18 operational sorties in this sector. On 8 September 1965, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia flew as No. 2 in a formation of four Mystere aircraft on a ground attack strike mission. In the face of very heavy and concentrated enemy fire, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia, totally unmindful of the danger to which he was exposed, pressed home repeated attacks on enemy tanks and gun positions and destroyed two tanks.

The courage and determination displayed by Flight Lieutenant Bhatia were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force