Mandepanda Appachu Ganapathy-Squadron Leader

Mandepanda Appachu Ganapathy was born in Kodagu and commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 16 May 1965. A courageous and skilled officer, he served the nation with distinction. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, he became one of the first Indian fighter pilot to shoot down a Pakistani aircraft over Dhaka, marking a historic achievement. As No. 3 in a four-Gnat formation, he intercepted the enemy and, with great precision, downed a Sabre jet during the Battle of Boyra. Then a Flight Lieutenant, he later rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. For his gallantry, he was awarded the Vir Chakra in 1972.

Family

Father

Mandepanda Ganapathy

Mother

Pattamada not known

Wife

Pattamada Urmila

Son

• Mandepanda Kartik
• Mandepanda Pavan

Operation

1971 Indo Pak war

Achievements

• He was the first fighter pilot to shoot down a Pakistan Fighter aircraft in Dhaka during the Indo Pakistan war.
• He was No.3 in a formation of four gnat aircraft proceeded to intercept the enemy.  On sighting the enemy aircraft, he skillfully manoeuvred his section and got behind one Sabre jet and shot it down.
• He was in the Air Force working as Flight Lieutenant at the time of the Battle of Boyra and he rose up to the rank of Squadron Leader.

Award

• He received  the Vir Chakra award  in the year 1972.

Death

• He died in unusual circumstances as he took his own life a few years later