IAF conducts special air show to mark 76 years of Jammu-Kashmir acceding to India

An airshow by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to commemorate 76 years of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir into India enthralled spectators on Friday morning even as the event was cut short by a little over 15 minutes due to rains.Thousands of people, mostly youngsters, thronged the Air Force Station in Jammu as the show was open to the public. The show was presented by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), Mi-17 helicopters and the Aakashganga Daredevil Skydiving team.The act by the Air Warrior Drill Team and the musical performance by the IAF band drew a lot of applause and whistle-blowing.Lt Governor Manoj Sinha was the chief guest at the event, which was organised jointly by the IAF and the Union Territory administration. The airshow was also to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Air Force Station, Jammu and raise awareness about aviation.Air officer commanding Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Air Vice Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra, and senior civil and police officers also witnessed the show. “The Indian Air Force is a glowing symbol of strength, bravery and dedication. I salute the IAF personnel for their magnificent heroism and the spirit of sacrifice. My deepest gratitude to the Air Warriors and their families,” the L-G wrote on X after the event.Three Mi 17 helicopters of the 130 Helicopter unit, headed by Wing Commander Irfan Wahid Khan Jarial presented a fly-past on the arrival of the chief guest.Shruti Arora, a youngster from Jammu city, thanked the IAF for providing the people the opportunity to watch the show.“The show had a magnificent start with 11 members of the IAF flying high with the national flag and performing the most difficult stunts in the sky. The IAF's Garud Commandos para-dropping operation from helicopters to pin down its target was also worth watching,” she said.“I was apprehensive that the show might be cancelled because of the heavy cloud cover. Though rains cut short the show, we enjoyed every bit of the show,” said Vinay Kumar, a student of class 11.