Vir Chakra (VrC)

Lieutenant Commander Om Prakash Mehta was commanding a naval ship, which attacked Karachi on the night of4 December 1971. Despite enemy shore gun batteries and the possibility of air attack, he bravely led his ship on to the enemy forces. His inspiring leadership enabled the naval units to deliver a fatal blow to the Pakistan naval forces. It was as a result of his action, aided by other naval units, that the major part of enemy's surface fleet was destroyed in one action. In this action, Lieutenant Commander Mehta displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.