AVM Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi (1934-2023) — Celebrated IAF Veteran, Fighter Pilot

Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi, a celebrated Indian Air Force (IAF) veteran, who led the mission to bomb Pakistan Government House in Dacca during the 1971 war, has passed away.

During the 1971 war, Bishnoi held the rank of Wing Commander and was awarded the Vir Chakra, the third highest wartime gallantry award. This was his second Vir Chakra, the first being awarded to him during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Only five IAF officers have been awarded the Vir Chakra twice (i.e Bar to Vir Chakra).

During the 1971 conflict then Wing Commander Bishnoi led the first two bombing missions over Tezgaon airfield. Despite encountering heavy ground fire, Bishnoi remained undeterred and successfully targeted the Tezgaon runway, as well as destroying a large transport aircraft on the ground.

During one of these Bombing missions, his aircraft was hit by a heavy shell and sustained severe damage. Notwithstanding this, he pressed home the attack.

On the 14th December, 1971, he raided military targets in Dacca inspite of intense ground fire.

His attacks on the Government House at Dacca and other targets were carried out with accuracy. The attack is well known and celebrated among military circles.

The complex Bishnoi attacked from his four MiG-21 aircraft battle group was hosting a key meeting of Pakistani top echelon.

The attack by Bishnoi's group has been credited for damaging morale among top ranks of the Pakistani army including Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the commander of Pakistani troops in East Pakistan.

It also led to the civilian governor of East Pakistan to resign. Here's how the New York Times reported on the attack.

"Dr. A. M. Malik, Governor of East Pakistan, wrote the draft of the resignation letter with a shaking ballpoint pen on a scrap of office paper as Indian MIG‐21’s destroyed his official residence, Government House.

They had been trapped with him in his bunker during an air raid. Dr. Malik’s wife and daughter huddled in a nearby room. .

All morning, Dr. Malik and his regional cabinet had been unable to decide to resign or hang on. The Indian air raids finally resolved the issue."

During the missions in support of Indian army, he led 10 sorties against heavily defended enemy positions in the Comilla Sector and destroyed enemy Bunkers and strongholds.

Bishnoi was originally from Fazilka in Punjab and joined the IAF in 1953.

During the 1965 war with Pakistan, Wing Commander Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi was stationed at Halwara in Punjab and participated in a counter-attack that targeted an ammunition-carrying Pakistan train at Raiwind railway station. Additionally, he successfully executed 16 operational missions in the Kasur/Lahore sector.

According to his citation, Bishnoi destroyed or damaged at least 10 enemy tanks during the war, even though his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire on three separate occasions.