IAF pilot cremated with full military honours

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 21

The Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who lost his life in Tuesday’s mid-air crash of two Surya Kiran planes in Yehlanka, Bengaluru, was cremated with full military and state honours in his native town on Thursday.

A large number of people from all walks of life attended the funeral. The pyre was lit by his five-year-old son Riyan.

Earlier, Sahil’s body was brought to Hisar via a helicopter in the morning. He is survived by his father Madan Mohan Gandhi, mother Dr Sudesh Gandhi, elder brother Nitin, wife Himani and son Riyan (5).

Sahil’s father is a retired bank official while mother Dr Sudesh recently retired as a principal scientist from Ch Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. His brother is based in Switzerland.

Sahil had joined the NDA after completing his Class XII from Campus School, HAU, Hisar, in 2000. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2004.

Local MP Dushyant Chautala, MP DP Vats, MLA Kamal Gupta, IAF officers and district officials were also present.