Hilal Ahmad the first Indian to fly Rafale played key role in Operation Sindoor: Reports
New Delhi: Air Vice Chief Marshal, Hilal Ahmad, a Kashmiri Muslim from Anantnag according to a Mathrubhumi report has played a very important role in the Operation Sindhoor conducted by Indian Armed Forces launching precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday.
Air Commodore Hilal Ahmad was India’s Air Attaché to France. Ahmad became India's first pilot to see off the batch of Rafale jets from France to India on July 27, 2020. Reports also suggest that he played a crucial part in early delivery of the Rafales, and has closely supervised the delivery schedule, weaponization, and customization of the Rafale jets to align with Indian operational needs.
A veteran officer with over 3,000 hours of accident-free flying, Ahmad has flown frontline combat aircraft like the Mirage 2000 and MiG-21. He gained widespread recognition as India’s first pilot to fly the Rafale jet and was instrumental in the aircraft's early induction into the Indian Air Force.
Although Ahmed is best known for his role in the Rafale program, his impact goes far beyond aircraft development. Through his leadership, he has played a crucial role in modernizing the Indian Air Force, enhancing its readiness to meet present-day challenges.
Mathrubhumi also reported that even though his name hasn’t been directly tied to the on-ground execution of Operation Sindoor, defense analysts suggest that officers of Ahmad’s calibre, with in-depth knowledge of aerial warfare and strategic defense systems, are integral to operations of such scale and precision.
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Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.
The 94-year-old former minister, who passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday, was cremated at the Kalleshwara Mill premises, following Veerashaiva-Lingayat traditions.
Earlier in the day, Shivashankarappa's mortal remains were brought to his native Davanagere, where they were kept at the high school grounds for the public, his followers, and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
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Expressing deep sorrow over his demise, the Karnataka government ordered that his last rites be performed with full state honours.
Both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council also mourned his passing, adjourning their sessions for the day after paying tributes.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, opposition leaders, legislators, and political figures paid their respects.
A number of seers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also attended the last rites.
Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time before succumbing to age-related ailments.
The senior-most legislator in Karnataka, Shivashankarappa, was also one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the country, sources said.
He is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, the Karnataka Minister for Mines, Geology, and Horticulture, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.
A six-time MLA, Shivashankarappa also served as a minister and an MP.
He was a prominent educationist, establishing several educational institutions, and was an industrialist.
Additionally, he served as the treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
