Flight Lieutenant Pradyot Dastidar
Flight Lieutenant Pradyot Dastidar, serving as the navigator of a target-marking aircraft of No. 5 Squadron, was tasked on 15 September 1965 with leading a major attack on Peshawar airfield during the Indo-Pak War.
The mission demanded exceptional navigational skill. The route passed close to bridges defended by anti-aircraft guns, while poor moonlight and haze severely restricted visibility. Dastidar located the airfield only when directly overhead and immediately dropped a flare to identify the target. The enemy responded with intense anti-aircraft fire.
Undeterred by the shells and tracer fire, Flight Lieutenant Dastidar maintained his course and accurately marked the target for the bombing aircraft following behind. He then turned back towards the target area, despite continuing anti-aircraft fire, to confirm the target-indicating bomb and passed the bombing index to the leader of the bombing stream. He remained in the vicinity until he was certain that the bombing leader had received and understood the information.
The Act of Valour
Flight Lieutenant Dastidar displayed exceptional courage, professional skill and determination during the Peshawar mission and in seven other operational missions.
For his courage and skill of a high order in the face of intense enemy opposition, Flight Lieutenant Pradyot Dastidar was awarded the Vir Chakra.
On 15 September, The Honour Post remembers Flight Lieutenant Pradyot Dastidar and honours his courage, service and valour.
