Monthly Archives: August 2018

india’s first supersonic fighter, Mig-21 officially retired on Friday after 62 years of unmatched service, marking the end of an era in Indian military aviation and celebrating its legacy of valour and Indo-Russian partnership. The decommissioning ceremony, held at the Candigarh Air Force Station, brought together air warriors, defence officials and dignitaries to pay tribute to the legendary aircraft that has been the backbone of India’s combat fleet since the 1960s. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the gathering, described the MiG 21 as far more than just a machine. “MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or a machine but it is also a proof of deep ties between India and Russia,” he said.He recalled the aircraft’s contributions across decades, highlighting its role in major conflicts such as the 1971 war with Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict, the 2019 Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that the jet has been a silent witness to numerous heroic acts by the Indian armed forces, each sortie re inforcing the nation’s confidence and honour. The MiG-21’s history is closely tied to India’s strategic partnership with Russia. The minister noted that the aircraft not only strengthened the IAF’s combat capability but also served as a symbol of enduring bilateral relations.Over 11,500 MiG-21s were produced worldwide, with 850 serving in the Indian Air Force alone, demonstrating the jet’s global popu larity, reliability and versatility. Its remarkable production numbers and widespread adoption are a testament to the aircraft’s multi-dimensional capabilities and enduring relevance over decades. Inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s, the MiG-21 catapulted India into the jet age, be coming the nation’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor. Over its 62-year operational journey, it not only enhanced India’s aerial combat prow ess but also created a lasting legacy of bravery, sacrifice and technical excellence.The farewell ceremony witnessed the last operational sortie of the MiG-21, with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flying the final flight of the Number 23 Squadron “Panthers,” under the call sign Badal 3. This poi gnant moment marked not just the retirement of a fighter jet, but a farewell to decades of shared memories, national pride and the stories of cour age that defined generations of air warriors.The decommissioning of the MiG-21 is more than the retirement of an aircraft. It is the closing of a remarkable chapter in Indian military history. For over 60 years, this legendary fighter jet has embodied valour, technical brilliance and the deep bonds between India and Russia. As the IAF moves forward with modern aircraft, the MiG-21 will remain a symbol of national pride and a shining example of courage and excellence in military aviation. SPIRITUAL WORL

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday — its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance.

Describing the MiG-21 as a mighty machine and a national pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there was a deep attachment to the aircraft that shaped the country’s confidence.

He was speaking at the decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where it was first inducted.

“MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties,” the minister said.

“The history of military aviation is incredible. The MiG 21 added many proud moments in our military aviation journey,” Singh told the gathering.

Former IAF chiefs AY Tipnis, SP Tyagi and BS Dhanoa, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first man on the International Space Station, besides scores of veterans, many who had piloted the aircraft, were present on the occasion.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew the sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft with call sign Badal 3. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963.

The culmination of MiG-21 operations took place with a ceremonial flypast at the event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in India’s air power.

The ceremony began with the arrival of the Defence Minister, the chief guest at the occasion, followed by a spectacular display by IAF’s elite skydiving team ‘Akash Ganga’, which skydived from a height of 8,000 feet.

This was followed by a majestic flypast of the MiG-21 aircraft accompanied by precision of the air warrior drill team and an aerial salute.

The fighter pilots flew MiG-21s in the three-aircraft Badal formation and the four-aircraft Panther formation roared over the skies one final time.

The Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled the audience with their breathtaking manoeuvres.

MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, took part in the flypast ceremony, and were given a water cannon salute.

The Jaguar and the Tejas aircrafts also took part in the ceremony.

After its first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21s to boost its overall combat prowess.

The supersonic jets were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

The aircraft has also had a troubled safety record and was involved in multiple crashes in the last six decades. The ageing fleet prompted some to describe the aircraft as “legacy coffins”.

The MiG-21 jets made their last operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony.

As part of the symbolic farewell, Air Chief Marshal Singh had also flown solo sorties of the MiG-21 from Nal on August 18-19.  — With PTI

MiG-21 is a mighty machine, national pride and defence shield; we have deep attachment to it, it shaped our confidence: Rajnath Singh

MiG 21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties, says Defence Minister

September 26, 2025 12:36 pm

‘80% credit for 1971 war victory goes to MiG-21’

September 26, 2025 12:18 pm

Squadron leader SS Tyagi, known for the highest flying hours onboard the plane, gave MiG-21 80 per cent credit for the victory in the 1971 war. Tyagi said that the iconic figher planes had conducted rocketry, gunnery, and dropped bombs during the 1971 war. “We passed on our learnings to our juniors. Amid all the lessons and training, my flying hours kept increasing. I had never thought I had to reach this milestone… We didnt have many aircraft in 1965… MiG-21 actually participated in a war in 1971, where it did rocketry, gunnery, dropped bombs, and achieved various targets in Dhaka… I would give 80% of the credit to MIG-21 for our victory in 1971…” Tyagi said.

September 26, 2025 12:13 pm

September 26, 2025 12:09 pm

Air Chief, with call sign Badal-3, flies a three-aircraft formation along with an air commodore and a group capt

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the event besides former IAF chiefs S P Tyagi and BS Dhanoa. IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla also present

MiG 21 flies into history today

Chandigarh begins ceremonial farewell to the Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 fighter jet on September 26 at the Air Force Station, the Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for the general public.

The incident was reported at 11.35 pm on September 22 from the Indian ship MSV Doula, when one of the crew members was reported missing and believed to have fallen overboard near Vilimale

The man who fell into the sea from an Indian vessel anchored near the Maldives capital has been found dead on Friday, authorities confirmed here.

According to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the man’s body was recovered in the southern waters of K Feydhoofinolhu by the MNDF Coast Guard Second Squadron under Male’ Area Command, news portal Edition.mv said.

The incident was reported at 11.35 pm on September 22 from the Indian ship MSV Doula, when one of the crew members was reported missing and believed to have fallen overboard near Vilimale.

The body has since been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation, the report said.

The search operation was conducted by both sea and air, it added.The MNDF did not identify the Indian national.

The extension in the particular areas in the three states will be effective from October 1

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was on Friday extended for six months in entire Manipur, except the jurisdiction of 13 police stations, in view of the prevailing law and order situation there.

The AFSPA, under which a particular state or some areas are declared “disturbed”, has also been extended to nine districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union home ministry.

The law was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas, bordering Assam, in Namsai district in the state.

The extension of the disturbed area in the particular areas in the three states will be effective from October 1 for six months.

The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.

“And whereas, a further review of the law and order situation in the state of Manipur has been undertaken. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958), the entire State of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 police stations of five districts, is declared as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.10.2025, unless withdrawn earlier,” the notification related to Manipur read.

The police station areas where the AFSPA will not be in force in Manipur are: Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi in Imphal West district, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung in Imphal East district, Thoubal in Thoubal district and Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district and Kakching in Kakching district.

Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who was heading a BJP-led government, resigned on February 9 following ethnic violence that claimed over 260 lives since May 2023.

The disturbed area declaration was in force in entire Manipur (except Imphal municipality area) since 2004 till early 2022.

In April, 2022, the Manipur government had issued a notification where it said that the disturbed area will no longer be applicable in seven police station areas of Imphal West district, four police station areas under Imphal East district and one police station area each in the districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam.

At that time, there were 16 districts in Manipur.

In October 2024, the Manipur government reimposed AFSPA in the entire state, barring 19 police station areas. A month later, the AFSPA was also extended in six of the 19 police station areas after violence broke out in Jiribam district.

More than 260 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.

In a separate notification, the home ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland has been undertaken.

After that, Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri districts in Nagaland were declared as ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (SpecialPowers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier.

The government also declared that areas falling within the jurisdiction of i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District;ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung District iii) Yanglok police station in Longleng District; iv) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District, will continued to be notified as ‘disturbed area’ under the AFSPA for six more months with effect from October 1.

A third notification issued by the home ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh has also been undertaken.

Now, therefore, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam, are declared as ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier, the notification said.

There have been protests and demands for the complete withdrawal of the law from the Northeast as well as Jammu and Kashmir for its alleged “draconian” provisions.

Manipuri activist Irom Chanu Sharmila fought against the law by remaining on hunger strike for 16 years, before ending it on August 9 in 2016.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states even though it is in force in Jammu and Kashmi

Dr Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library inaugurated at Indira Bhawan

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Gursharan Kaur, wife of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during the inauguration of the Dr Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. PTI

On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday offered tributes, hailing his role in shaping India’s economy and recalling his personal qualities of humility and integrity.

Dr Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library was also inaugurated on Friday at Indira Bhawan, Congress headquarters, here, in the presence of Kharge, CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi, LoP Rahul Gandhi and Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur.

Kharge, in a message on X, said, “We remember the contribution of Manmohan Singh in nation building. He was a gentle architect of India’s economic transformation.” He praised Singh as “a man of humility and wisdom” whose reforms created opportunities, expanded the middle class and lifted millions out of poverty.

He added that Singh’s approach to governance combined fairness with inclusivity, noting that his welfare policies touched the lives of millions. “His leadership showed us that integrity in public life is not just possible, but powerful,” Kharge wrote. Calling him an “enduring symbol of honesty, intellect and selfless service to the nation,” the Congress chief said Singh’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Rahul also paid homage, remembering Singh as a leader whose vision and courage shaped modern India.

“His unwavering commitment to nation-building, his bold decisions for the poor and deprived and his historic contribution to building a strong economy will continue to guide us. His simplicity, humility and integrity are an inspiration for all of us,” Rahul wrote on X.

Singh was born in 1932 in Gah, a village now in Pakistan. Trained as an economist, he rose from modest beginnings to hold some of India’s most important offices. As Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government between 1991 and 1996, he introduced reforms that loosened state control over the economy and opened new sectors to competition. He went on to serve as Prime Minister for two terms, from 2004 to 2014, leading the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance. Singh passed away in December last year.

Neha Saini Tribune News Service

A clay sculpture by eminent Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen of a crouching Sikh soldier wearing a turban, one of 6,00,000 soldiers killed during the First World War in Ypres, Belgium, was donated to Khalsa College Amritsar’s Sikh History Research Centre by a Belgian delegation in June.

The statue commemorates the sacrifice of 135 Sikh soldiers, all of whom hailed from Amritsar’s Sultanwind village.

The sacrifice of these Sikh soldiers remains largely unsung in India, despite recent efforts in excavating their story of incredible courage in the shadow of the British Empire. Till date, besides Sultanwind where a memorial to the 135 soldiers was recently erected, memorial services are held at Sarwali village in Batala, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and in Baddowal, Moga.

The local community in Ypres created a small clay statue each for the soldiers killed in the war on their soil. These figures became part of a large installation at Palingbeek in Ypres, which had been turned into the killing fields of the war.

“It was important that one of these sculptures returned to Punjab, homeland of the Sikh soldiers who died while saving our people,” Dr Dominiek Dendooven, Belgian historian and author, told The Tribune. He said only a handful of these sculptures had found their way to the Belgian Embassy and the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi.

Dendooven worked closely with Sikh scholar Dr Bhupinder Singh Holland, who has written widely on the role of Sikh soldiers in the World Wars, to document these stories.

Holland told The Tribune that the “Sultanwind memorial took eight years in the making, largely with the voluntary efforts of individuals. Annual ceremonies are held, but many families did not know until recently about their ancestors’ contribution in saving Europe from Nazi forces.”

An estimated 83,005 Sikh soldiers were killed during both World Wars, Holland added. “Their martyrdom was overshadowed by colonial rule. Some of them fought fiercely, won Victoria Crosses and gallantry awards and stood against fascism. The perception that they have been shunned is due to a lack of active community and government engagement.”

The clay sculpture of the crouching Sikh symbolising vulnerability, now in the Khalsa College, is part of a larger community project called “Coming World Remember Me (CWRM)”, inaugurated by the Belgium Government in 2018 to mark 100 years of the end of the war. The Sikh sculpture has been created using clay from Ypres’ battlefields. To mark Armistice Day in November, a plaque will be unveiled at the Saint George’s memorial church in Ypres.

In the UK, the Sikh diaspora created digital archives of the audio and documented history of these soldiers, sourced originally from Lahore Museum. But here in Amritsar, the memory remains largely faded. A dedicated gallery at the Punjab State War Memorial and Museum has one small section that honours the role of Sikh and other Punjabi soldiers during World War-I and the government support is minimal.

Davinder Singh Chinna, president, Khalsa College Global Alumni Association, who handed over the sculpture to Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna, Chairman, Khalsa College Governing Council, said, “There are over 10 memorials erected in the memory of the Sikh soldiers in Italy and France; and three in Belgium, the grandest of them all at Menin Gate. We do not even have proper records or archives of the sacrifices that Sikh soldiers made in the British Indian army at the time.”

On the other hand, Dendooven said, “In Belgium, the commemoration of WW-I is actively embraced by the local community and government, but in India, this is still lacking.”

The remarks came amid growing concerns over visa fraud, illegal agents and unsafe migration routes luring Indians abroad

India has taken back 2,417 nationals deported or repatriated from the United States since January, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, while at the same time underlined its push for “legal pathways of migration”.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, confirming the deportation numbers, said New Delhi works closely with Washington to verify the nationality of individuals before accepting them back.

“Whenever there is a person who does not possess legal status in any country and is referred to us with documents, if there are claims that he or she is an Indian national, we do the background check, confirm nationality and then take them back. That is what has been happening with deportations from the US,” Jaiswal said.

The remarks came amid growing concerns over visa fraud, illegal agents and unsafe migration routes luring Indians abroad. The MEA said several Central ministries are working with state governments to crack down on illegal operators. Regular advisories are being issued, and Indians are being encouraged to use the government’s e-Migrate portal, which lists approved recruitment agencies, procedures for legal migration, and dos and don’ts for workers heading overseas.

On the recent case of Punjab resident Harjit Kaur, who was deported from the US, Jaiswal said her return was part of the larger trend, but stressed that India “stands firmly against illegal migration”.

He also flagged a disturbing pattern of Indian nationals being trafficked to Iran under false pretenses of jobs or onward passage to third countries. “Between Iran and India, there is a visa-free regime, but it is only valid for tourism. Agents have been exploiting this to send Indians for employment purposes. In recent months, several Indians have been kidnapped by criminal gangs after landing in Tehran,” he warned.

Reiterating India’s position, Jaiswal said, “Illegal migration undermines our efforts to promote legal migration. We want to raise awareness so that Indians do not fall prey to fraudulent job offers or unsafe routes.”

Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot says Pakistan’s military pleaded for cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor

India has said Pakistan’s military “pleaded” with it for a cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor and that there is no room for any third party to intervene in any issue between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The remarks were made by First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot on Friday after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), credited President Donald Trump with averting a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

“This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the prime minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy,” Gahlot said, delivering India’s Right of Reply at the UNGA.

In his address, Sharif said Pakistan was ready for a “composite, comprehensive and result-oriented” dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, as he criticised New Delhi over the situation in Kashmir.

Sharif praised Trump, saying his “efforts for peace helped avert a … war in South Asia”.

“In recognition of President Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the least we could do … I think he truly is a man of peace,” he said.

India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor launched on May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two militaries.

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