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New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that in a 'miraculous search and rescue operation,' the US had rescued and safely 'retrieved' from deep inside Iranian territory the two fighter pilots who went missing after Iranian forces shot down an F-15 fighter aircraft. 'WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans. The pilot is now SAFE and SOUND. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,' Trump said on Sunday morning on his social media platform. Iran had shot down a US F15 f ...Read More >
New Delhi: IAF fighter pilot Group Captain Ranjit Singh Sidhu, who received a prestigious military decoration for his heroics during Operation Sindoor in May, flew "multiple deep-penetration strike missions" to destroy the designated targets with surgical precision while facing "complex threat scenarios" and layered air defences. His gallant act during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, which earned him a Vir Chakra recently, finds mention in a list of medal citations pu ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) IAF fighter pilot Group Captain Ranjit Singh Sidhu, who received a prestigious military decoration for his heroics during Operation Sindoor in May, flew "multiple deep-penetration strike missions" to destroy the designated targets with surgical precision while facing "complex threat scenarios" and layered air defences. His gallant act during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, which earned him a Vir Chakra recently, finds mention in a list of medal ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has issued a Gazette notification listing gallantry award winners from the Indian Armed Forces, honouring their extraordinary courage and leadership during various operations including Operation Sindoor. The awards include several Vir Chakra recipients from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, recognising their bravery in active combat and critical missions. Colonel Koshank Lamba has been conferred the Vir Chakra for his exceptional bravery and leadership un ...Read More >
Nasik: Defence minister Rajnath Singh lauded wing commander Nikhil Kumar Rath from Odisha's Balangir, a fighter pilot with the IAF, after the first public sortie of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A aircraft manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik facility. The inaugural Tejas Mk1A sortie of around 35 minutes was piloted by Group Captain KK Venugopal and Wing Commander Pratyush Awasthi, followed by aerial displays by Su-30MKI and HTT-40 aircraft, with the Tejas re ...Read More >
India's Russian-built MiG-21s flew for the final time Friday, marking the end of an era for the country's first supersonic fighter jet -- lauded for its valour but tarnished by a legacy of some 400 crashes. Crowds cheered as officials staged a grand farewell for the final two MiG-21 squadrons, totalling around 36 aircraft, at an air force base in the northern city of Chandigarh. The send-off came a day after New Delhi signed a $7-billion deal to acquire 97 domestically designed and built Tejas ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Sep 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Recalling how the Soviet-era fighter MiG-21 proved its mettle in multiple theatres of war and conflict, including its presence in the Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said its legacy will live on in India's pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence. "The aircraft symbolises the continuity of courage, discipline and patriotism that will inspire the development of indigenous platforms such as LCA-Tejas and the upcoming Advanced Medium Comb ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) -- India retired its last fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets Friday, ending more than six decades of service with an aircraft once celebrated for its combat prowess but later derided as a "flying coffin" due to frequent crashes. The phaseout underscores the urgency for the Indian air force to expand and modernize its air fleet to counter potential threats on two fronts from its archrivals China and Pakistan. The decommissioning leaves the air force with 29 fighter squadrons ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) -- India retired its last fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets Friday, ending more than six decades of service with an aircraft once celebrated for its combat prowess but later derided as a "flying coffin" due to frequent crashes. The phaseout underscores the urgency for the Indian air force to expand and modernize its air fleet to counter potential threats on two fronts from its archrivals China and Pakistan. The decommissioning leaves the air force with 29 fighter squadrons ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force's MiG-21, the country's first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft, whose induction in the early 1960s catapulted the force into the jet age, roared in the Indian skies for one last time on Friday, leaving an enduring legacy and countless stories in its illustrious trail. But more than anyone else, the pilots who have flown these Soviet-era machines over the decades bid this workhorse of the Indian Air Force (IAF) a nostalgic farewell. Veteran pilot and f ...Read More >
Chandigarh [India], September 26 (ANI): Ahead of the decommissioning of the Indian Air Force's MiG-21 fighter aircraft in Chandigarh on Friday, Wing Commander Rajiv Battish (Retd.) termed the plane a "potent" one and an enigma for the Western Field. Speaking to ANI, Battish said that a large crowd gathering for the event to bid farewell to the aircraft reflected the sentiments of the people. "MiG-21 has a very long story and the fact that so many people have gathered here is the fact that we a ...Read More >
Chandigarh, September 26: It will be a memorable and emotional reunion in Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, where its first squadron was commissioned in 1963, on Friday, as the skies will roar to give 'final salute' to the Russian-made MiG-21 that was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) almost six decades ago. It will be a memorable but emotional reunion in Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, where its first squadron was commissioned in 1963, on Friday, as the skies will roar to give 'final salut ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he will be in Chandigarh on Friday to attend the Indian Air Force MiG-21 decommissioning ceremony. Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF MiG-21. Looking forward to it. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh wrote, Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF MiG-21. Looking forward to it. After serving for six decade ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he will be in Chandigarh on Friday to attend the Indian Air Force's MiG-21 decommissioning ceremony. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh wrote, "Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF's MiG-21. Looking forward to it." After serving for six decades, the iconic MiG-21 is going to retire today. The aircraft leaves behind a record of unmatched service and a legacy that w ...Read More >
Bikaner, Aug 26 (PTI) Vanity vans lined up on the tarmac and film crew with cameras waited for that perfect frame to capture MiG-21 jets roaring across the skies of Bikaner Nal Air Force Station for the shooting of upcoming Bollywood movie "Love And War". The moment marked the jet's last operational flight ahead of its retirement next month. The airbase doubled up as a set for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film where the MiG-21 will play a decisive role. "Love And War" stars Ranbir Kapoor, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): As festivities for Independence Day begin, the centre on Thursday awarded Vir Chakra to nine Indian Air Force officers for their brave contributions in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor. The Vir Chakra has been awarded to nine Indian Air Force officers, including fighter pilots, who targeted terrorist groups' headquarters in Pakistan's Muridke and Bahawalpur and the neighbouring country's military assets. Group Captains (GP) Ranjeet Singh Si ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): As festivities for Independence Day begin, the centre on Thursday awarded Vir Chakra to nine Indian Air Force officers for their brave contributions in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor. The Vir Chakra has been awarded to nine Indian Air Force officers, including fighter pilots, who targeted terrorist groups headquarters in Pakistan Muridke and Bahawalpur and the neighbouring country military assets. Group Captains (GP) Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, ...Read More >
Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 19 (ANI): A Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party meeting was held at the Chief Minister's Camp Office under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, in which it was emphasised that the party will focus on issues concerning Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming Parliament session. Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh and several MPs attended the meeting. Also Read | Ganeshotsav Declared 'Rajya Mahotsav': Maharashtra Government Elevates Century-Old Festival to St ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Former Fighter Pilot at Indian Air Force Captain Sharath Panicker has criticised the Wall Street Journal report on the Air India AI 171 crash, saying the publication lacks the locus standi to report on the incident without authorisation from India Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Captain Panicker highlighted that a narrative is being built using details not officially released. There seems to be a narrative that is being built ...Read More >
NEW DELHI - A month after the worst aviation accident in India in decades, the authorities are poised to release a preliminary report into the catastrophe, offering the first official clues to what caused the aircraft to plummet back to the ground just 30 seconds after taking off. Investigators have revealed very few details since the Air India accident, and the report also stands to be basic and factual - if previous initial findings are any guide. The authorities are unlikely to draw definit ...Read More >
ROHTAK: Thousands turned up in Rohtak on Thursday to join the last march of Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu, who perished in a Jaguar crash along with Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh in Rajasthan Wednesday.The two fighter pilots had steered the jet away from a village, staying with it till the last moment despite knowing they wouldn't have time to eject and save their lives.Sqn Ldr Sindhu's brother Gyanender said the family gave him a final salute with a smile, as he died in pursuit of a ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Punjab chief ministerBhagwant Mann on Thursday said the government will table a bill in the assembly on Friday to introduce harsher punishment for religious sacrilege. However, the law will not be enacted immediately, as the government plans to hold consultations with stakeholders before finalising the legislation.Mann said the decision was taken in a meeting of the cabinet earlier in the day. After the legislation is tabled, Punjab govt will gather suggestions on the law from stakeh ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, July 10: The two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots who died in a crash of a Jaguar fighter jet near Churu in Rajasthan a day ago have been identified as Sqn Ldr Lokender and Flt Lt Rishi Raj Singh, officials said on Thursday. The IAF has also said that a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. The names of the two pilots were released by the IAF on Thursday. In a brief statement, the IAF said: "The pilots who attained 'veergati' in yesterday's Jagu ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian at the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axion Mission 4, on Tuesday held an inspirational interaction with the students at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in Meghalaya, expressing confidence that many children from 'small towns, big towns and all kinds of towns' across India will one day become astronauts in the future. 'I think they can and they will. Just keep working hard, and I ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 4 (ANI): Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia officially became the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of Naval Aviation. Paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the force, and shattering barriers, Poonia also received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air). According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy celebrated the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk C ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia became the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of Naval Aviation, marking a first for the Indian Navy in assigning combat roles to women.Poonia, along with Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull on Thursday was awarded the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), during the Winging Ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.While both officers graduated from ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam, Jul 4: Sub Lieutenant Astha Poonia officially became the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of the Indian Navy. Paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the force, and shattering barriers, Poonia also received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air). According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy celebrated the graduation of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at the Naval A ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a historic milestone, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman fighter pilot of the Indian Navy. Her induction into the elite fighter stream marks a powerful step forward for Naari Shakti (women power) in Indian naval aviation. On 3 July 2025, during the graduation ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course at INS Dega, Sub Lt Poonia received the prestigious 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), alongside Lt At ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Axiom-4 mission piloted by Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the other crew, docked at the International Space Station at around 4:01 pm on Thursday. Upon successful docking and opening of the hatch, Shubhanshu was seen greeting the crew members with hugs and handshakes. As the crew entered the space station after opening the hatches of the spacecraft successfully, they greeted themselves by hugging and handshaking after eagerly waiting for their safe a ...Read More >
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