NEW DELHI: Three frontline Sukhoi-30 fighter jets flew in ‘Missing Man’ formation signifying the loss of a fallen comrade and three Mi-17 helicopters flew in a ‘vic’ formation trooping the IAF colours, were part of the fly past given in the honour of the senior most officer of the Indian Air Force.
Entire nation and the military fraternity on Monday gave tearful farewell to Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who breathed last on Saturday evening. He was of 98 years.
His mortal remains which were kept at his residence on Sunday for people to pay their last respects were moved to Brar square in Delhi cantonment in the morning on Monday.
Marshal Singh, the only five star officer of the IAF, was admitted in the Army’s Research & Referral hospital after a cardiac arrest. His son Arvind Singh, who is based in the US, lit the funeral pyre.
He was given a 17 gun salute by 25 pound field artillery guns.
Last rites of Hero of 1965 war were given with full military honour as his was consigned to flames amid chanting of Sikh hymns at the Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment in the presence of several senior political leaders and top brass of the Indian military.
The national flag flew at half-mast at all government buildings in the national capital in the honour of the iconic hero of the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Earlier, Singh's body, wrapped in the Indian tricolour, was taken to the Brar Square crematorium from his residence 7 Kautilya Marg in central New Delhi on a gun carriage.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singgh, senior BJP leader LK Advani were among the dignatories attended his funeral alongwith Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs.
On Sunday, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Singh's residence to pay their tributes to country’s oldest military man and the war hero.
After Sam Maninkshaw and KM Carriappa who were given Field Marshal, Singh was the only IAF officer who conferred Marshal of the Air Force, a rank equivalent to the Army's five star field marshal.