IAF’s Siachen Hero Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu Awarded Shaurya Chakra
Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu has been awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) for displaying exceptional courage and gallantry in the face of imminent death in dangerous circumstances beyond the call of duty which are in the best traditions of the IAF.
Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu was on the posted strength a Cheetah Helicopter Unit at Air Force Station Leh since 22 May 06.
On 11 Apr 07, Sqn Ldr Basu was detailed for an air logistics support sortie to Amar helipad located on the Siachen Glacier, as the leader in a two aircraft formation. The Siachen Glacier is the highest battlefield in the world. Flying over this vast frozen ice mass entails flying in the extremes of climatic conditions over exceedingly inhospitable terrain. The margin for error in this environment, while flying the single engine Cheetah aircraft, is practically non-existent. Amar post has the highest helipad in the world with density altitude exceeding twenty thousand feet and is located on the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL).
The sortie was uneventful till final approach. On short finals, an overshoot had to be initiated as tail winds were encountered. The helicopter experienced a sudden loss of power and height after crossing the helipad. Sqn Ldr Basu maintained his cool in this unusual emergency and handled the situation in a competent manner displaying a high degree of professionalism. He asked his co-pilot to keep a close check on the engine parameters and initially tried to recover the aircraft by reducing the power demand smoothly. The engine jet pipe temperature (JPT) also shot up. Unfortunately, the JPT failed to respond to the emergency actions by the pilot and the aircraft continued to lose height. He therefore took the highly courageous decision of attempting to force land across the AGPL. However, due to the absence of a suitable force landing field in the harsh, snow bound and sloping terrain, the helicopter crashed, giving no chance of survival to the crew. The aircraft crashed about 300 meters ahead of Amar Helipad, in direct line of sight of the Pakistani post.
Sqn Ldr Basu, a true air warrior, made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country, displaying exceptional courage and gallantry in the face of imminent death in dangerous circumstances beyond the call of duty, which are in the best traditions of the IAF.
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