M A I N   N E W S

Ghandhi Western Air Command AOC-in-C
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 20
In a strongest possible signal from the government till now of taking action against Pakistan for its continued support to cross-border terrorism, a key position was filled in the Indian Air Force today by appointing Air Marshal A.R. Ghandhi as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), of the strategic Western Air Command (WAC).

Air Marshal Ghandhi replaces Air Marshal Vinod Bhatia who was removed as the AOC-in-C, WAC, following the incident in which an aircraft he was flying was shot upon by Pakistan for crossing the LoC.

Air Marshal Ghandhi, 58, had been officiating in the post since mid-April when Air Marshal Bhatia was removed and made Inspector-General at Air Headquarters.

A highly decorated officer, Air Marshal Ghandhi was awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre fighter in the 1965 war.