AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 56 of 237 Below from Bharat Rakshak Vir Chakra Sqn Ldr Preet Pal Singh Gill6342 F(P) Award Date Announced 26 Jan 1972 Details: During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Preet Pal Singh Gill carried out a number of successful night bombing missions over vital and heavily defended targets situated deep inside enemy territory. His cool courage, professional skill and determination in the face of heavy enemy opposition besides resulting in severe damage to enemy installations, inspired other aircrews to follow his gallant example. Throughout, Squadron Leader Preet Pal Singh Gill displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order. About the Author Preet Pal Singh Gill joined the IAF in 1961 as a fighter pilot. He converted onto the Canberra bomber aircraft early in his career. At the outbreak of the 1971 Indo Pak War he was a fully operational pilot on the Canberra. For his gallantry during the War he was awarded the Vir Chakra. He took premature retirement from Service in 1977 and joined Air India. Here he flew for over 2 decades as Captain of the Jumbo Boeing 747. He has since retired and lives in Chandigarh.