New Delhi: Puri MP Pinaki Misra today in Lok Sabha recalled the gallantry of former Odisha Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik in saving Srinagar and Kashmir from falling in hands of Pakistani invaders in 1947.

Misra said that the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had sought help from Biju Patnaik, who flew multiple sorties and took several batches of soldiers to Srinagar on October 27, 1947.

The BJD MP also urged the Central Government to honour Biju Patnaik with the Bharat Ratna award.

"In the past, we had urged the Government to recognise the tremendous qualities of Biju Babu by giving him Bharat Ratna. Unfortunately, it has not happened," he said.

Misra drew the attention of Defence Minister and other ministers present at the Lok Sabha in this regard.