Commissioned in the Indian Army Medical corps in 1940, Major Anil Krishna Barat covered himself with glory during the Jammu & Kashmir operations in 1948.

The Indian army had suffered heavy casualties while defending Naushahra against the Pakistani raiders. Even as the number of those injured mounted, the Major attended to them with calm and cool courage.

The Major rendered a similar service during the battle of Dharwal. As the battle raged over for a long days, the major continued with the task of tending to the wounded. He even conducted an operation with the aid of jeep headlights in the midst of an enemy attack, as bullets and shells burst around him. When the operation was completed he joined his companions on the battlefield.

His devotion to duty and gallantry impressed and inspired all those around him. He was indeed a deserving winner of the Mahavir Chakra.