President Droupadi Murmu takes historic sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft; See Pics

President Droupadi Murmu took a historic sortie in an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft for about 30 minutes covering the Brahmaputra and Tezpur valleys in Assam on April 8. Take a look at the pictures...

President Droupadi Murmu flew on her maiden sortie in a fighter aircraft from Tezpur air base in Assam on April 8. Credit: PTI Photo

Group Captain Naveen Kumar Tiwari, the Commanding Officer of the 106th Squadron, flew her in a Sukhoi-30 MKI that took off from the Indian Air Force base in Tezpur. Credit: PTI Photo

On reaching Tezpur, Murmu received a guard of honour from IAF personnel, followed by an official briefing on her flight aboard the Sukhoi aircraft. Credit: PTI Photo

Murmu then reached the hangar wearing the flying suit, and waved at the waiting journalists before climbing the ladder to board the aircraft. Credit: Twitter/@rashtrapatibhvn

After the President sat in the cockpit, a female officer helped her put on a helmet and complete other technicalities. She waved from the cockpit just seconds before the aircraft canopy was shut. Credit: Twitter/@rashtrapatibhvn

The sortie of Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, from the Tezpur base assumes significance as it is bordering Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims to be a part of its territory. Credit: PTI Photos

President Droupadi Murmu, supreme commander of the Indian Armed forces, before taking a sortie on IAF’s fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30, at Tezpur Air Force Station in Sonitpur, Assam. Credit: Twitter/@rashtrapatibhvn

Though no media interaction was scheduled with the President, she said