2-week-long Vijay Diwas celebrations take off to commemorate 25 years of Kargil victory

New Delhi, July 14

Indian Air Force has kicked off a two week (July 12 to 26) programme to commemorate 25 years of Kargil victory. As part of the celebrations, IAF held a ceremony at Sarsawa airbase near Saharanpur.

The IAF helicopter that was brought down by Pakistan missiles on May 28, 1999 was from 152 Helicopter Unit at Sarsawa. Squadron Leader R Pundir, Flight Lt S Muhilan, Sergeant PVNR Prasad and Sergeant RK Sahu were tasked to carry out a strike against enemy positions at Tololing in the Drass-Kargil sector. After successfully carrying out the attack, the copter was hit by an enemy stinger missile. All four lost their lives.

Yesterday, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari laid a wreath at the Station War Memorial at Sarsawa.

An air show followed the ceremony that included display by the Akash Ganga team and aerial displays by Jaguar, Su-30 MKl and Rafale fighter aircraft. A “Missing Man formation” was flown by Mi-17 V5 in memory of the fallen heroes. The IAF is planning another event at Bathinda next week. The 17 Squadron of fighter jets that were forward located to Srinagar during the Kargil conflict were based at Bathinda. The IAF will also participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations at Drass, Ladakh.