Grieving but Proud, IAF Pilot’s Family Bids Final Farewell in Haryana’s Rewari

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, a 28-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, lost his life when his Jaguar aircraft crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat. The accident occurred on Wednesday night during a night training mission. He was cremated with full military honors in his native village, Majra Bhalkhi, in Rewari, Haryana.

His father, Sushil Yadav, a retired Air Force officer, performed the last rites, joined by a large number of villagers who paid their respects. Local leaders, including Bawal MLA Krishan Kumar and former minister Banwari Lal, also attended the funeral. The villagers honored the pilot with patriotic slogans, showing their admiration for his service.

The aircraft crashed around 9:30 PM, shortly after takeoff from Jamnagar. It went down in an open field near Suvarda village, about 12 kilometers from Jamnagar city, and caught fire. Despite the danger, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth managed to save his co-pilot, who is now recovering in a Delhi hospital.

His father, though heartbroken, expressed pride in his son’s bravery. “Yes, I’m proud but grief-stricken. He upheld the family tradition,” he said. The Yadav family has a long history of serving the country—Siddharth’s grandfather was part of the Bengal Engineers under British rule, and his father served in the paramilitary forces.

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A life of duty and commitment

Siddharth’s mother, Neelam Yadav, recalled how her son had always wanted to be in the Air Force. “He was determined since childhood to wear the uniform and fly. He was brave and simple, and he gave his life to save another,” she said.

The tragedy came just days after a happy occasion. Siddharth had recently gotten engaged to Sonia Yadav, a resident of Delhi, on March 23. He resumed duty on March 31 after a short leave for the engagement. His wedding was planned for November. Sonia, who attended the funeral, shared her grief. “We shared a special bond. I will always be proud of him,” she said.

Siddharth completed his fighter pilot training two years ago. He joined the Indian Air Force in 2016 after passing out from the National Defence Academy (NDA). His commitment to duty and courage made him a respected officer.

The Indian Air Force has ordered an inquiry to find out the cause of the crash. The nation mourns the loss of a brave pilot who put his life on the line to protect others.