New Delhi: Wing Commander Felix Patrick Pinto, an helicopter pilot of the Indian Air Force, who helped search for the fateful Pawan Hans helicopter of then Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu that had crashed in Tawang in April last year, was Wednesday named to receive Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry medal.
Pinto, a Mi-17 pilot, had also showed grit when he successfully steered a malfunctioning helicopters for about 15 minutes to safely land in Guwahati on Aug 29 last year.
"For exceptional displays of exemplary courage, determination, leadership and composure under adverse conditions, twice in a year, Wing Commander Pinto is recommended for the award of Shaurya Chakra," his citation read.
Pinto was in charge of all the air operations launched in Tawang sector in search of the Pawan Hans chopper carrying Khandu that crashed. On May 4, he got airborne and help locate the plane wreck's exact coordinates despite bad weather.
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