Gurugram:Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisht was days away from his wedding when his Su-30 MKI vanished from radar over Assam. At his home in Gurugram, the preparations were underway for his wedding with his pilot fiancee, but soon wedding celebrations turned into mourning after Vashisht family was informed about the crash.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of Vashisht and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar on Friday, a day after their aircraft, on a training sortie, disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase.
“IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the IAF said in a post on X.
Relatives and family friends began gathering at Vashisht's home in Sector 22B, Gurugram, after news of the crash spread. A family relative, Chandra Prakash, said some members had already left for Assam. Vashisht's mother has not yet been told of his death and believes her son was only injured, he told.
"Anuj completed his early education from Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sector 14, Gurugram, and subsequently joined the Indian Air Force. His family was preparing for his wedding and his fiance is also a pilot," Prakash said.
Vashisht hailed from Bhiwani district of Haryana. He completed his early education at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sector 14, Gurugram, before joining the Air Force. His father, Subedar Anand Prakash, his mother Anita Devi, and a younger brother survive him. His fiancée, also a pilot, had been part of the wedding plans.
Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh and Haryana's Military and Paramilitary Welfare Minister Rao Narbir Singh offered their condolences, saying the nation would not forget the sacrifice of its soldiers.
Aditi Pandey is a passionate journalist with over three years of experience in the digital newsroom. She has covered politics, crime and world news, w...View More
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
