BAF personnel visit Dimapur to commemorate its raising day

DIMAPUR —In order to keep the spirit of ‘Liberation War’ alive among the personnel of Bangladesh forces, 20 officers and personnel of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) led by Group Captain Tanvir Marzan visited Dimapur on Wednesday as a part of its raising day celebrations.

A defence release stated that BAF came into being with one Chetak, one armed Otter and one Dakota, nine Officers and 57 men on September 28, 1971, at Dimapur in Nagaland. It was on this day, three pilots including squadron leader, Sultan Ahmed, and flight lieutenant, Badrul Alam, who had defected from Pakistan Air Force and a civilian pilot namely Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed commenced their training by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Kilo flight at Dimapur, which was deemed to be the first Bangladesh air force unit.

It stated that after December 16, 1971, with the birth of Bangladesh, the Kilo flight aircraft riddled with bullets, but still fly worthy, was handed over to Bangladesh at Dhaka by India.

Report stated that officers and personnel of IAF including those belonging to Dornier and MI 17-V5 squadrons with a historical connection with the Kilo flight interacted with the personnel of BAF. It added that BAF has always shown keen interest in visiting important locations that were places of relevance during the 1971 Liberation War.

It further stated that the visit reflected the deep ties and bonhomie between the air forces of the two countries and acknowledged the role of IAF in the liberation of Bangladesh.