From the team of FreedMen, Our deep condolences to the young wing commanders Mohit Rana and Advitiya Bal to their families and relatives.
Pilot Mohit Rana who was among two killed when an Indian Air Force MiG-21 crashed in Rajasthan, belonged to Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh.
The family hails from Sandhol village, which he visited a fortnight ago.The officer’s parents are residing in New Chandigarh, adjoining the city, while his wife and a three-year-old daughter were living with him at the Air Force Station where he was posted.
DC Mandi Arindam Choudhary said that the rites will probably be performed in Chandigarh only. Wg Cdr Rana’s mortal remains are expected to arrive late this evening and the funeral with full service honours is scheduled to be held at the Sector 25 crematorium in Chandigarh tomorrow.
His father Ram Prakash retired from the Indian Army as a Colonel. As relatives, friends and well-wishers poured in to offer condolences and lend a shoulder to the bereaved family, his father, who was inconsolable, said it was Mohit’s childhood dream to become a fighter pilot.
Though Lt Col Rana termed the incident as extremely tragic, he asserted he was proud of his son’s service and sacrifice. It was around midnight yesterday that his daughter-in-law called up to break the news of the crash.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasla, Mohit was commissioned into the IAF in December 2005 from the 176th Course.
The 36-year-old pilot, who was also a flight instructor, had been promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in December 2018 and was the flight commander of his squadron.
He had celebrated his birthday on July 23. Another young officer, 26-year old Fl Lt Advitiya Bal, who belonged to Jammu, also lost his life in the crash. The duo were on a training sortie in the MiG-21’s twin-seat version.
The MiG-21 Bison crashed in Bhimda Village of Barmer district on July 28. The explosion was so strong that the sound was heard in an area of 8-10 km in the vicinity.