New Delhi, April 14
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will observe the 103rd birth anniversary of Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh on Friday. His important speeches are being played out at various air force stations. This will continue till tomorrow.
Memorial hockey meet
- The 3rd Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey tournament will be held at Chandigarh from April 18 to 23
- 12 teams from India and abroad, including hockey teams of Royal Canadian, Malaysian, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka air forces, have been invited
The Marshal was the IAF Chief when Independent India carried out its first offensive air strikes in September 1965 during the India-Pakistan war.
It was an on-the-spur decision to launch air strikes. On September 1, 1965, IAF Chief Air Marshal Arjan Singh was called in by Defence Minister YB Chavan and asked how quickly the IAF could be ready for operations. “In an hour,” he said.
Just before sunset the same day, 26 fighter-bombers, including 12 Vampires of the early 1940s British vintage and 14 Mystere-IV procured from France, had taken off from Pathankot for the Chhamb-Jaurian sector in J&K. SN Prasad, in his book “The India-Pakistan War of 1965”, records the first strike: “The IAF destroyed 10 tanks, two automatic guns and 30 to 40 vehicles of the invading column.”—
The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
‘Watershed moment for our society’: CJI Chandrachud hails new criminal justice laws
The new criminal justice laws will come into effect from Jul...
FIR registered against Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar for poll violation
BJP had approached the Election Commission seeking action ag...
Kejriwal stopped taking insulin months before arrest: Tihar officials claim in report to L-G; Atishi says report has 'exposed' BJP's conspiracy
At the behest of BJP, conspiracy is under way to kill Kejriw...
US sanctions Chinese suppliers for providing critical components of Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme
As a result of the action, all property and interests in pro...
Supreme Court stays Himachal Pradesh High Court order transferring Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri
The High Court had earlier refused to recall its order to tr...
