21 October 2022 | Courage in the face of danger
Major Vikas Bhambhu of 252 Army Aviation Squadron made the supreme sacrifice on 21 October 2022 while piloting a Rudra helicopter on an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
Major Bhambhu hailed from Rampuriya village in Rawatsar tehsil of Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 2012 and initially served with the 68 Armoured Regiment before qualifying for military helicopter flying and joining the Army Aviation Corps.
On 21 October 2022, Major Bhambhu was piloting a Rudra helicopter with Major Mustafa Bohara as co-pilot. After the mission had been completed, the helicopter caught fire at approximately 10:28 am, around 20 kilometres from the international border. The aircraft suffered a catastrophic failure and rapidly lost altitude.
Despite the emergency, the two officers attempted to regain control and steer the burning helicopter away from an inhabited area and an ammunition point near Migging. Their actions reflected a determination to reduce the danger to people and sensitive installations on the ground.
The helicopter crashed at approximately 10:43 am. Major Vikas Bhambhu and Major Mustafa Bohara, along with other personnel aboard the aircraft, made the supreme sacrifice.
In recognition of their exceptional courage, professional skill and devotion to duty, both officers were posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. The official gallantry citation recognises their efforts to steer the stricken helicopter away from areas where people and critical installations could have been endangered.
The Honour Post pays tribute to Major Vikas Bhambhu, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), whose courage, flying skill and supreme sacrifice exemplified the finest traditions of the Indian Army.
