Vir Chakra (VrC)

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron. Leader Dhirendra Singh Jafa served with a fighter bomber squadron in the Western Sector. On 4 December, when the enemy had encircled a battalion of our troops in a small enclave in the Hussainiwala area and was pressing hard with tanks, he led a two aircraft formation in this area. He carried out over 12 attacks and personally destroyed or damaged seven enemy tanks and a jeep thus enabling the encircled troops to extricate themselves. On 5 December, he led a four aircraft strike mission over the enemy gun positions, which were constantly shelling our positions in the west of Amritsar. Despite the heavy ground fire, he carried out successful attacks until, in his sixth attack, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and he had to eject at a very low altitude.

In this action, Squadron Leader D.S. Jafa displayed gallantry and leadership of a high order.