IAF Chief BS Dhanoa flies 'missing man' formation for Kargil heroes

New Delhi:Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief ACM BS Dhanoa on Monday led a four aircraft, MiG-21 'Missing Man' formation flypast, at Bhisiana Air Force Station, to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of men killed in action during Operation Safed Sagar at Kargil.

Western Air Command Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal R Nambiar, a Kargil veteran, was also a part of the formation.

The 'Missing Man' formation is an aerial salute accorded to honour the fallen comrades-in-arms. This is an Arrow Formation, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicting the - Missing Man. Later, in a sombre ceremony, he laid a wreath at the War Memorial to honour the IAF men who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, an IAF spokesperson said.

It was on this day in 1999 that, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja (Posthumous) laid down his life during the Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of 17 Squadron.On the May 28, the Chief will visit Air Force Station Sarsawa and fly in a "Mi-17 V5 Missing Man" formation to commemorate the Kargil martyrs.

"It was on May 28, 1999 that we lost a Mi-17 after successfully attacking the enemy in Drass sector. Sqn Ldr R Pundhir, Flt Lt S Muhilan, Sgt R K Sahu and Sgt PVNR Prasad died in action in that Mi-17," the spokesperson added.(UNI)