The Indian Air Force on Wednesday commemorated India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war with a vibrant Vijay Diwas celebration at Air Force Station Mohanbari in Assam. The event honoured the courage, sacrifice and decisive role of the Indian Armed Forces that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh presided over the ceremony, which was attended by senior military and civilian dignitaries, war veterans and a large gathering of youth from across Assam. The celebrations were marked by a spectacular aerial display featuring Su-30 MKI, C-130, Dornier, An-32, Chinook, Mi-17, ALH and Cheetah aircraft.
The flying display recreated iconic missions from the 1971 war, including the Tangail Airdrop, the Meghna River Crossing, and the strike on Dhaka’s Government House. The demonstration showcased the Indian Air Force’s operational strength, precision and continued mission readiness.
As part of the commemoration, a seminar on ‘Air Operations during the 1971 War’ was organised, where Air Veterans shared first-hand accounts and personal experiences from the historic conflict. An exhibition titled “Triumph from the Sky-71” displayed rare archival photographs from the war period and featured a replica of the Swarnim Vijay Mashal, the ceremonial flame symbolising India’s triumph.
