He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for the valour that he showcased through the Indo-Pak battle in 1965. In response to the IAF, his plane was hit by enemy hearth, and he had injured his proper shoulder.
The Indian Air Power (IAF) has introduced the passing of struggle hero Group Captain Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar (Retd), celebrated for his audacious escape from a Pakistani prisoner-of-war camp through the 1971 Indo-Pak struggle. He died close to Pune, Maharashtra, a senior official confirmed on Sunday.
In an announcement posted on its official X deal with, the IAF mentioned: “Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM — 1971 Warfare hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched braveness, ingenuity & pleasure within the IAF — has left for his heavenly abode. All Air Warriors of the IAF categorical their heartfelt condolences.” The submit was accompanied by an excerpt from his gallantry award quotation.
Commissioned into the IAF in March 1963, Parulkar served in a number of key roles, together with as a Flying Teacher on the Air Power Academy. He was additionally deputed to Singapore for 2 years and held a floor tenure as a Battalion Commander on the Nationwide Defence Academy (NDA).
Through the 1965 Indo-Pak struggle, his plane was struck by enemy hearth, injuring his proper shoulder. Regardless of his chief’s recommendation to eject, Parulkar managed to fly the crippled plane again to base — an act of remarkable bravery that earned him the Vayu Sena Medal.
Within the 1971 struggle, then Wing Commander Parulkar was taken prisoner by Pakistan. Whereas in captivity, he demonstrated extraordinary braveness and management by orchestrating an escape try with two fellow officers from the PoW camp. This daring bid to regain freedom cemented his place as one of many IAF’s most exceptional figures and earned him the Vishisht Seva Medal.
The IAF hailed Parulkar as an emblem of nationwide pleasure, describing him as a person of “unmatched braveness, ingenuity, and pleasure within the Indian Air Power.” Veterans and serving officers alike have paid tribute to his legacy, recalling his dedication to the service and his unwavering resolve within the face of adversity.
Parulkar’s life story stays an inspiration to generations of air warriors and a reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces in safeguarding the nation. His legacy of bravery and management will endure within the annals of India’s army historical past