Pilot from city among dead

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 27

A pall of gloom descended on the Sector 44 residence of Squadron Leader Siddharth Vashisht, one of the pilots of the ill-fated Mi-17 helicopter that crashed at Budgam near Srinagar today, killing six IAF personnel and a civilian.

A fourth generation officer in the armed forces, who was commissioned in 2010, the 31-year-old pilot is survived by his wife, Aarti, who is also a Squadron Leader posted at Srinagar, and two-year old son Angad, besides his parents and three sisters. He was the youngest of four siblings.

His wife was on leave at Gurugram and is rushing back here. According to Air Force officials, his mortal remains will be airlifted to Chandigarh tomorrow and the last rites will be held here.

Family members said Siddharth had studied at Shivalik Public School in Sector 41 and thereafter at DAV College before opting to join the forces. He was adventurous and fond of outdoor life and was keen to be a flier.

His father, Jagdish Kasal, had served in the Army before joining Punjab National Bank as an officer. In fact, his maternal uncle, Vineet Bhardwaj, was a MiG-21 pilot, who died in an air crash about 17 years ago. His uncle had been an inspiration for him.

Siddharth had been posted to a helicopter unit in Srinagar in July last and prior to this he was based at Coimbatore. He was also part of the IAF rescue operations during the floods in Kerela recently. Family members said he had received a commendation for his services on January 26, besides other awards for his performance.

His family originally belongs to Hamidpur village near Naraingarh and had shifted to Chandigarh about a year ago.

Wife also a Squadron Leader 

A fourth generation officer in the armed forces, who was commissioned in 2010, the 31-year-old pilot, Squadron Leader Siddharth Vashisht, is survived by his wife, Aarti, who is also a Squadron Leader posted at Srinagar, and two-year-old son Angad, besides his parents and three sisters. He was the youngest of four siblings.