New Delhi: President Pranab on Tuesday expressed grief over the tragic death of an IAF pilot after his MIG-21 aircraft crashed during a sortie in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a condolence message to IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, he said, "I am saddened to learn about the tragic crash of a MIG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir today, in which the pilot Squadron Leader Raghu Bansi lost his life and the co-pilot suffered serious injuries.
"I am sure that all necessary help and assistance are being provided to the next of kin of the deceased pilot and medical aid is also being provided to the injured co-pilot."
He also wished an early recovery to the injured IAF co-pilot.
"Kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family, friends and colleagues. I pray for peace of the departed soul and speedy recovery of the injured co-pilot," a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement quoted Mukherjee as saying.
