Vir Chakra (VrC)

Lieutenant Commander Ashwani Kumar Mehra was the pilot of the Indian naval aircraft, which carried out continued strikes on enemy-held ports in Bangladesh during the December 1971 operations. He took part in nine strike missions against the enemy defended ports of Chittagong, Mangla and Khulna. Six of these successful strikes were led-by this officer. Despite heavy anti-aircraft gunfire against the aircraft, he continued to lead his missions on to their targets, thereby inflicting heavy damage to port installations and ships in these harbours. On 13 December, he attacked a heavily defended enemy ship, which was carrying troops. As a result of his attack, the enemy ship burst into flames and later sank in the Karnaphuli River. Throughout the operations, Lieutenant Commander Mehra displayed gallantry, leadership and professional skill of a high order.