News for 'Group Captain of the Indian Air Force'

Shubhanshu Shukla conferred Ashoka Chakra award for space mission

Shubhanshu Shukla conferred Ashoka Chakra award for space mission

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Group Captain Shukla was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006.

TOP GUNS: Indian Air Force shows its might

TOP GUNS: Indian Air Force shows its might

Rediff.com8 Oct 2014

The Indian Air Force celebrated its 82nd Air Force Day at the Hindon base on Wednesday.

Images: Sachin Tendulkar in Indian Air Force stripes

Images: Sachin Tendulkar in Indian Air Force stripes

Rediff.com3 Sep 2010

Images from the investiture ceremony of batting ace Sachin Tendulkar as Indian Air Force honorary Group Captain.

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. The award recognizes his contributions to the Axiom-4 mission and India's advancements in human space exploration.

SEE: President Murmu takes a sortie in Rafale

SEE: President Murmu takes a sortie in Rafale

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Ambala. This follows a previous sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft in April 2023.

IAF promotes Abhinandan Varthaman as group captain

IAF promotes Abhinandan Varthaman as group captain

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

The officer was involved in a dog fight with Pakistani fighter aircraft and was awarded a Shaurya Chakra for taking down an F-16 combat aircraft during the engagement.

Remembering 1971 In The Skies Of The East

Remembering 1971 In The Skies Of The East

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Returning to the Brahmaputra for Vijay Diwas was not just a journey across geography, but across memory of war, service, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between the Indian Air Force and the north east, asserts Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

IAF group captain to be sacked for 2019 missile hit on Mi-17 chopper

IAF group captain to be sacked for 2019 missile hit on Mi-17 chopper

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

A general court martial (GCM) instituted by the Indian Air Force has ordered the sacking of a group captain for the crash of an Mi-17 V5 helicopter in Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir after it was hit by a missile on February 27, 2019, official sources said on Tuesday.

Anjali Gupta suicide: Group captain suspended

Anjali Gupta suicide: Group captain suspended

Rediff.com14 Sep 2011

Group Captain Amit Gupta was on Wednesday suspended from service by the Indian Air Force after he was arrested in connection with the alleged suicide of former officer Anjali Gupta.

PHOTOS: IAF celebrates 86th Air Force Day

PHOTOS: IAF celebrates 86th Air Force Day

Rediff.com8 Oct 2018

Here are some of the glimpses from the celebration.

PHOTOS: Honorary Group Captain Tendulkar celebrates 83rd anniversary of IAF

PHOTOS: Honorary Group Captain Tendulkar celebrates 83rd anniversary of IAF

Rediff.com9 Oct 2015

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar attended the 83rd Air Force Day, at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad, on Thursday.

Republic Day 2026: Op Sindoor, defence prowess displayed at 77th R-Day parade

Republic Day 2026: Op Sindoor, defence prowess displayed at 77th R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Around 100 artistes heralded the parade, on the theme 'Vividata Mein Ekta (Unity in Diversity) that featured a grand presentation of musical instruments, demonstrating the nation's unity and rich cultural diversity.

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's second astronaut, shares his journey from a shy child hearing stories of Rakesh Sharma to becoming part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. He emphasizes the role of the IAF in his transformation and inspires India's youth to explore space.

PIX: Group Captain Tendulkar attends 87th IAF Day parade

PIX: Group Captain Tendulkar attends 87th IAF Day parade

Rediff.com8 Oct 2019

Taking to Twitter, Tendulkar thanked the Indian soldiers for their services.

Anjali Gupta suicide: Group Captain arrested

Anjali Gupta suicide: Group Captain arrested

Rediff.com13 Sep 2011

Group Captain Amit Gupta of the Indian Air Force was arrested in Bhopal in connection with the alleged suicide of former IAF Officer Anjali Gupta, police said.

Ex-Indian Air force man Saurabh ready for 'India Test'

Ex-Indian Air force man Saurabh ready for 'India Test'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2022

Uttar Pradesh left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar is the only new face in the 18-member Indian squad for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka.

9 IAF officers get Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor

9 IAF officers get Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

As festivities for Independence Day begin, the Centre on Thursday awarded Vir Chakra to nine Indian Air Force officers for their brave contributions in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor.

Shubhanshu Shukla gets hero's welcome in his hometown

Shubhanshu Shukla gets hero's welcome in his hometown

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Lucknow. Celebrations included family, supporters, a roadshow, and recognition from government officials.

Missile firing incident: Probe pins blame on Group Captain

Missile firing incident: Probe pins blame on Group Captain

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

Government sources told ANI that the detailed probe by the Air Force officer (equivalent to Major General in the Army) is still going on but prima facie, a Group Captain-rank officer is being seen as blameworthy.

MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time

MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the the backbone of the Indian Air Force's combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday -- its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance.

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Kwatra termed India's successful launch of an American communication satellite on Wednesday as a 'very important and big day' for partnership between Washington and New Delhi, saying it caps a series of achievements in 2025 in bilateral space cooperation between the countries.

How the air force base confronts loss

How the air force base confronts loss

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

To ensure the morale of the pilots does not suffer, flying activity continues without a pause. Pilots take to the sky like they would on any other day.

Group Captain arrested for leaking secret info to ISI

Group Captain arrested for leaking secret info to ISI

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

Marwah was honey-trapped by the ISI through Facebook accounts in mid-December.

Shuks eyes Gaganyaan after historic ISS mission

Shuks eyes Gaganyaan after historic ISS mission

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for India's space program and carrying out crucial scientific experiments.

41 years later, an Indian astronaut set to script history

41 years later, an Indian astronaut set to script history

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla stands on the cusp of history as he prepares to set off on a space odyssey, marking India's return to space flight 41 years after his idol Rakesh Sharma orbited the earth for eight days as part of Soviet Union's Interkosmos programme.

Hundreds bid tearful farewell to Group Captain Varun Singh

Hundreds bid tearful farewell to Group Captain Varun Singh

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

Singh's wife and daughter, his father Colonel K P Singh (retd), mother Uma besides, other close relatives were also present there and bid a teary-eyed farewell to him.

How the Bangladesh Air Force was born

How the Bangladesh Air Force was born

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

'Overnight, the Chetak had new markings and thereafter flew on the call sign, Echo-Bravo-Romeo.' 'By all accounts, this was the first aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.'

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System and the Crew Module and Service Module are all in final stages of testing and integration.

He carries with him...: Modi hails Shukla's launch

He carries with him...: Modi hails Shukla's launch

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

The Axiom-4 mission, marking the return to space for India, Hungary and Poland, blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm on Wednesday.

Officers who planned, executed Operation Sindoor awarded

Officers who planned, executed Operation Sindoor awarded

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

India recognised acts of gallantry by armed forces personnel and senior military officers involved in Operation Sindoor, along with other distinguished service awards, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Facing some difficulty, but...: Shuks' first message from ISS

Facing some difficulty, but...: Shuks' first message from ISS

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the 634th astronaut to travel to space as he entered the International Space Station on Thursday after a 28-hour journey.

Shubhanshu adjusting to life on Earth, says father

Shubhanshu adjusting to life on Earth, says father

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian astronaut who along with three others returned recently from a successful space mission, is in Houston in the United States, as he readjusts to life on Earth, his father said on Thursday.

'Downing Pak special mission aircraft from 300km shows...'

'Downing Pak special mission aircraft from 300km shows...'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

Military officials detail how the Indian Air Force's downing of a Pakistani aircraft at a long distance reflects its air superiority and dealt a psychological blow to the adversary.

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The parents of Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Rai, an IAF pilot who died in a trainer jet crash in December 2023, have expressed their anguish over being ignored for entitlements and honours that were given to their daughter-in-law. They believe the government policy should be revised to include parents of martyred soldiers. Group Captain Amitabh Rai (retd) and his wife Chitralekha, the bereaved parents, say they have received no condolences from the government despite losing their only son. They argue that the current policy unfairly favors the martyr's wife, often leading to neglect of the parents. The Rais claim their son's death is not being recognized as a "battle casualty" and therefore he is not being treated as a martyr. They also raise concerns about the pressure on IAF trainers to complete training programs successfully, even when cadets are not prepared, potentially endangering both the trainer and the cadet.

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of prioritizing his image over national security after the Pahalgam attack, challenging him to refute Trump's claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Farewell MiG-21. Flying Legend, IAF's Soul

Farewell MiG-21. Flying Legend, IAF's Soul

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21's sharp silhouette and supersonic roar will live on in the memories of those who flew it, those who maintained it, and those who watched it streak across the sky as a symbol of India's strength, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Pak officer, who captured IAF pilot Abhinandan, killed by Taliban

Pak officer, who captured IAF pilot Abhinandan, killed by Taliban

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, was killed on Tuesday in a clash with the Taliban militants in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan near the Afghan border, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army.

15 Things You Must Know About Rakesh Sharma

15 Things You Must Know About Rakesh Sharma

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. Here's what you should know about the national icon.

Splashdown! Shubhanshu Shukla Is Back On Earth!

Splashdown! Shubhanshu Shukla Is Back On Earth!

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 mission crew safely returned to Earth after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station, splashing down off the coast of San Diego.

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.