Mangaluru : Dinesh Chandra Bhandary, ‘Vir Chakra’ awardee, hailing from Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, passed away in Mumbai.

Bhandary, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, was awarded the Vir Chakra, the third highest military decoration in India for the services rendered by him during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He hailed from an aristocratic Bunt family of Kolnadu Pademane of Mulki.

He is survived by his wife Chithra Bhandary, son Shrenick Bhandary, his brother Subash Bhandary, brothers and sisters. The final rites were held at Mumbai with military state honours.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, then Squadron Leader Bhandary was serving with an operational Bomber Squadron. As a senior Navigator, he was responsible for leading and planning the raids against various difficult targets. He flew nine missions against deep centered enemy targets which were well defended with air-cover and ground ack-ack (anti-aircraft gunfire). Some of the missions were flown in broad daylight involving great risk. His determination and cool courage in hitting the enemy targets were an ideal example to junior Navigators. Throughout, Bhandary displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order