Rupani’s death evokes memories of Gujarat CM’s killing in 1965

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s death in an air crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 evoked memories of a similar tragedy in 1965, when then Chief Minister Balwantrai Mehta was killed after his plane was shot down during the India-Pakistan war.

On September 19, 1965, at the height of the conflict, Mehta boarded a Beechcraft aircraft from Ahmedabad for a routine visit to Mithapur. Accompanying him were his wife Sarojben, a journalist, some aides and two crew members.

As the aircraft flew near the Rann of Kutch, close to the International Border, it was mistakenly identified by Pakistani radar as a threat. Two Pakistani air force pilots, flying F-86 Sabre jets, were dispatched to investigate. Despite the aircraft’s civilian status, it was shot down, killing all eight on board.

Mehta, a respected statesman and champion of grassroots democracy through the Panchayati Raj system, was mourned across the country.

Rupani served as Gujarat Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021.