The Indian Air Force (IAF) praised the pilot of a Jaguar aircraft that had a narrow escape in Ambala on Thursday for his prompt action that not only saved the fighter jet from damage but also the lives of people.
The aircraft, with two additional fuel drop tanks and carrier bomb light stores (CBLS) pods, took off from the Air Force Station, Ambala for a training mission on Thursday.
Immediately after take-off, it encountered a flock of birds. The bird hit resulted in the failure of one of its engines.
"Despite one of the most serious emergencies staring in his face, the young pilot assessed the situation in a matter of seconds, jettisoned the two additional fuel drop tanks as well as the CBLS pods and went on to safely land the aircraft. His actions bear testimony to the highest professional standards of the IAF, resulting from extensive operational training," the IAF said.
The professionalism and quick thinking of the pilot not only saved a war-waging asset, but also the lives of the many civilians residing in the area adjoining the airfield, it added.
Indian Air Force Invites Applications For 182 Vacancies, Check Details Air Force Choppers Join Rescue Ops In Uttarakhand, 5000 Evacuated S-400 Air Defence System Shoots Down Almost Entire 'Enemy' Package In Test 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel UGC NET 2024 City Intimation Slips Out For August 28-September 4 Exams Sri Lanka Has 39 Presidential Candidates This Time, But No Woman Among Them Trump Reveals Why He Sounded Like He Had A Lisp During Musk Interview Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.