Wing Commander Sandeep Singh (25336) Flying (Pilot) is posted to a Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Unit as Flight Commander since 13 January 2014. He is Fully Ops holding Cat/IR A/MG, Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner on Mi-17 helicopter.

On 21 November 2014 at 1610 hrs, he received a mission from Anti Naxal Task Force Commander to evacuate casualties from a forest area in Sukma district of Chattisgarh. The CRPF troops during combat ops had come under heavy fire from Naxals resulting in five serious troop casualties who needed immediate evacuation for life saving and to tilt operations in favour of own troops. Time was extremely critical and mission involved a high threat quotient. Despite the potent threat to life and tremendous risk involved, he obtained the go ahead for the mission and led the mission himself after meticulous planning. He got airborne with medical team onboard in the shortest possible time at 1635hrs.

Updates on intelligence inputs and co-ordinates of exact location of casualties were taken on R/T. Prudent, quick and considered decisions were taken in flight, to alter course and approaching the area in reciprocal direction to retain element of surprise and to ensure mission execution safely. The experience of operational experience of Wg Cdr Sandeep Singh came in handy and with precision handling he landed the helicopter next to the casualties with rotors just clear of the tree line in a clear patch in the jungle. The landing area had the limitation of a sloping surface and was prone to dust. Five extremely critical casualties were quickly taken in and helicopter with 22 souls onboard lifted off from the jungle at close to Sun set. Sensing the threat all around, he carried out a "Vertical out of Ground Take Off" in the only available direction. At this critical juncture the helicopter came under a burst of fire from automatic weapons. Undeterred and unfazed, he maintained his composure and courageously carried out evasive manoeuvres to minimize the exposure. Due to his deft handling of the situation the causalities were minimized and only one crew and one other person onboard sustained bullet hits with the aircraft remaining fly worthy. He continued leading the mission as it grew dark over the jungles of Bastar range. His exceptional courage, excellent professionalism and calm composure against odds not only saved fives lives but also altered the course of encounter for the ground troops.

For the selfless act of exceptional courage and conspicuous gallantry, Wing Commander Sandeep Singh is recommended for the award of Shaurya Chakra.