Golden moments: Air Defence Regiment celebrates 49th Samba Day

NE NEWS SERVICE

AHMEDABAD, DEC 8

The prized catch- pilot seat of MiG-19 aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Raza of Pakistan Air Force on December 7, 1971. –NE photo.

The Air Defence Regiment celebrated its ‘49^th Samba Day’ on Monday. The ominous clouds of war in 1971, led Air Defence Regiment to its hour of reckoning & tryst with destiny. December 7, 1971, is etched in golden letters in the Regiment’s history for shooting down 11 Pakistani aircraft in a fierce Air Defence battle over the skies of Samba to nullify four separate air raids, a release said.

The radar which “Locked On” Pakistani MiG-19 aircraft enables the kills on December 12, 1971. –NE photo.

Gunner Bhadreshwar Pathak, Vir Chakra (Posthumous) & Lance Havildar Bal Bahadur, Vir Chakra were the wreckers-in-chief as the Regiment earned the Honour Title ‘SAMBA VA/VP’ for exceptional courage, gallantry & valour.