During OPERATION VIJAY, 17JAT was tasked to capture Pimple Complex, part of Point 4875, a most dominating feature in the Mushkoh valley. Col. U S Bawa, Commanding Officer, prepared his Command operationally and administratively for the Operation. The officer planed a two pronged attack along the least expected and difficult approaches to surprise the enemy. The attack commenced at 2200 Hrs on 04 July 99. Col. U S Bawa led from the front and in a rare display of command and leadership qualities, motivated his command to achieve a near immpossible military task against heavy odds. Under heavy volume of enemy artillery, mortar & small arms fire, he took charge of the assuaulting coloumns and personally supervised capture of four enemy positions that led to the crumbling of enemy defences.

17 JAT, under the very personal and inspiring leadership of Col. U S Bawa, also sucessfully repulsed the enemy counter attacks on Pimple Two. Col. U S Bawa kept his cool and calm throughout the battle and exercised full control on the assaulting troops and led them to the capture of Pimple One, Pimple Two and another feature named Whale Back and recovery of thirty-five weapons and twenty-two enemy dead bodies including that of an officer. Col. U S Bawa displayed exemplary courage while leading from the front in the face of enemy and was awarded VIR CHAKRA for his gallantry by the PRESIDENT OF INDIA.