State Funeral Tomorrow For Arjan Singh, Marshal Of Indian Air Force

New Delhi: Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who died on Saturday, will be given a state funeral at 10 am tomorrow.  The last rites will be performed at Delhi cantonment. A Home Ministry spokesperson said the national flag will be flown at half-mast in Delhi as a mark of respect. The 98-year-old war hero died at Army's Research and Referral hospital in Delhi yesterday after a cardiac arrest.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent messages of condolence and hailed his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict. "Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community," President Kovind tweeted.

At Arjan Singh's home this morning, Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, President Kovind and other dignitaries paid their respects to him.

"Weather permitting, a fly-past will also be held to honour his memory," said Ms Sitharaman. "We are waiting for the arrival of his son. His daughter has already arrived from Europe this morning," the minister added.

The Defence Ministry said the war hero's mortal remains will be taken to the funeral site from his home in a gun carriage procession and a gun salute will be given.

The only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank, Arjan Singh was famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war. As the Chief of Air Staff, he out-foxed Pakistan Air Force which had top of line US jets against India's old Gnats and Vampire fighters.

After a few initial setbacks, the Indian Air Force outmaneuvered the Pakistani fighters, handing a decisive air superiority to the Indian war effort.  Arjan Singh, who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft, had played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world.

Known as a man of few words, Arjan Singh was not only a fearless fighter pilot but had profound knowledge about air power which he applied in a wide spectrum of air operations. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965.