Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh. File photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passed away at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here on Saturday, according to the reliable sources. However, an official confirmation still awaited.He was 98. He was promoted to the five-star rank in 2002.

Arjan Singh is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal, to which he was promoted in 2002.

He was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) from August 1, 1964 to July 15, 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965.

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He became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force to be upgraded to the position of Air Chief Marshal from the rank of Chief of the Air Staff in recognition of his Air Force’s contribution in the 1965 war.He took retirement from services in 1970 at the age of 50.In 1971, he was appointed as the Indian Ambassador to Switzerland. He concurrently served as the Ambassador to the Vatican.