Squadron Leader Aarti Singh, wife of Squadron Leader Siddharth Vashisht, who was among the six personnel killed in a chopper crash near Budgam in J&K, and other family members during his cremation at Sector 25, Chandigarh, on Friday.
Chandigarh, March 1
The mortal remains of Squadron Leader Siddharth Vashisht, who died in the Mi-17 helicopter crash near Srinagar on February 27, were consigned to flames with military honours here on Friday.
A large number of people, including senior defence and civilian officers and political leaders, were present to bid the final adieu to the airman.
Wreaths were laid on his Tricolour-draped coffin on the behalf of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command and the Maintenance Command, Air Officers Commanding Advance Headquarters, 12 Wing and No. 3 Base Repair Depot, Station Commander High Grounds and the Commanding Officer of 154 Helicopter Unit to which the Siddharth Vashisht was posted.A ceremonial guard reversed arms as a mark of respect while a bugler sounded the Last Post. A three-shot volley was also fired in salute.
His wife Squadron Leader Aarti Singh, who was also posted at Srinagar, also laid a wreath. His father Jagdish Kasal lit the pyre. The mortal remains were airlifted from Srinagar to Chandigarh last evening.The officer is survived by a two-year-old son. He was the youngest of four siblings. Before being commissioned into the Air Force in 2010, he had studied at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, and DAV College, Sector 10.
Siddharth was posted to Srinagar in July last year and prior to this, he was based in Coimbatore. He was also part of the IAF rescue operations during floods in Kerala.
Members of his family said he had received a commendation for his services on January 26, besides other awards.
The family belongs to Hamidpur village near Naraingarh and had shifted to Chandigarh some time ago. Siddharth’s father had served in the Army before becoming a bank officer. His grandfather and great-grandfather were also soldiers.
A large number of relatives, well-wishers and colleagues paid their last respects to the officer.
Yesterday, top functionaries of the UT Administration, including the Governor, the Adviser to the UT Administrator, the Director General of Police, the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, had offered condolences to the bereaved family.