Prashant Kumar Bundela, VM

Biography

Squadron Leader Prashant Kumar Bundela hailed from Bagar in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, born on 14 December 1970. He received his early education at Sainik School, Chittorgarh, where his ambition to serve in the Indian Air Force took root. A disciplined and bright student, he was selected for the National Defence Academy, joining the 79th NDA course as part of the Golf Squadron and passing out on 1 December 1990. He then trained at the Air Force Academy and was commissioned into the fighter stream as a pilot officer on 14 December 1991, graduating with the 148th Pilots' Course. Over the years he served with several flying squadrons, earning a reputation as a competent and dedicated fighter pilot. By 1999 he was serving with No. 45 Squadron at a forward airbase in Gujarat. On 10 August 1999, Sqn Ldr Bundela was leading a two-aircraft MiG-21 Bis live Air Defence alert mission when, at 1100 hours, his formation was scrambled to intercept an unidentified aircraft approaching the international border northwest of Naliya. On making visual contact he identified the intruder as a Pakistan Navy Atlantique maritime reconnaissance aircraft that had crossed into Indian airspace. When the aircraft ignored his signals to land and turned menacingly towards his MiG-21, he sought and received clearance to engage, firing a single air-to-air missile that struck the target and brought it down, neutralising the threat. For this conspicuous act of gallantry he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal. In August 2002 he was serving with 32 Squadron at Jodhpur. On 4 April 2002, during an air combat training sortie in a MiG-21 Bison, his aircraft suffered an engine flameout near Jalandhar, forcing both crew to eject. While his co-pilot landed safely, Sqn Ldr Bundela suffered a heavy landing on his neck, sustaining severe cervical spinal injuries that left him quadriplegic. Flown to the Command Hospital, Pune, he underwent major surgery and prolonged treatment, but eventually succumbed to his injuries on 19 August 2002, laying down his life in the line of duty.