Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Partha Dasgupta flew 19 operational missions of which twelve were flown deep into enemy territory. On 5 December while flying as Number Two on a tactical reconnaissance and strike mission in Christian Mandi-Bahawal Nagar area, he spotted a train carrying tanks. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire he attacked the train twice and destroyed three tanks. Again, while flying as Number Two in a strike mission he destroyed a huge oil dump at Multan and returned to base with a marginal endurance of three minutes. He carried out all his missions to the ultimate limits of endurance. Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Partha Dasgupta displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.