Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 11 June 1988 and trained as a helicopter pilot in the 141st Pilots' Course. He joined 130 Helicopter Unit on 19 December 1994. In August 1996, he was deployed on a forward detachment for air-maintenance operations in the Operation Meghdoot area. On 26 August 1996, he commanded a dedicated Mi-17 sortie to Hoshiyar Post on the Southern Glacier to deliver essential supplies to Indian Army troops. After the load was dropped, the helicopter was engaged by enemy ground fire and crashed. Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain, along with Pilot Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat, Sergeant R Murigappa and Sergeant Krishna Chandra Jha, was killed in the incident. He was 28 years old and was subsequently awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Flt Lt Sandeep Jain showed exemplary courage and dedication by undertaking the challenging task in the face of known enemy threat and extremely hostile weather conditions. Flt Lt Sandeep Jain was a valiant soldier and committed air warrior who sacrificed his life in the service of the nation. Flt Lt Sandeep Jain was given the nation’s third highest gallantry award during peacetime ” Shaurya Chakra” for his bravery and supreme sacrifice.