The Blue Skies Podcast

Jai Singh Gahlawat: 1971 Vir Chakra Awardee, A1 instructor

PR Ganapathy Season 2 Episode 9

This week's interview features Wg. Cdr. Jai Singh Gahlawat, who saw action flying Hunters during the 1971 War for the Liberation Bangladesh, for which he was awarded a Vir Chakra. In great detail, he takes us with him as he mounts attacks deep in West Pakistan. 

Wg. Cdr. Gahlawat is also one of the Air Force's few A1 instructors, and we discuss those experiences too.

Wg. Cdr. Gahlawat's profile is here. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/11280. His Vir Chakra citation is a really thrilling read.

00:00:00 Guest introduction, journey into IAF
00:13:13 Commencement of hostilities
00:15:50 First mission: Strike Sakesar Radar
00:36:52 Destroying bridge in Kathua
00:43:38 Being attacked by 6 Mirages
00:48:00 Destroying tanks in Chhamb
00:53:10 Nearly shot down own Hunters
00:56:06 Becoming an A-1 Instructor