IAF airshow in Guwahati showcases Operation Sindoor weapons over Brahmaputra

Guwahati: The Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets on Sunday made a "special formation" displaying the weapons used during the Operation Sindoor at the airshow over the Brahmaputra in Guwahati.

The airshow, first in the northeast, was organised to mark the 93rd Air Force Day at Lachit Ghat on the bank of the Brahmaputra.

The river bank was named after Lachit Borphukan, the celebrated General of Ahom Dynasty, who had valiently fought and defeated the Mughals in a naval war in the Battle Saraighat in the Brahmaputra in 1671. A statue of Borphukan stands in the Brahmaputra, near which the event was organised.

A defence spokesperson said nearly 60 IAF assets comprising fighter, transport and helicopters made aerial display over the Brahmaputra as thousands lined up along the banks to withess the display.

"Highlights included the Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Apache, C-295 and Hawks, symbolising the pathway to national resilience." The Harvard, Sukhoi 30 and Rafale enthralled the audience with breathtaking low level aerobatics.

The performance concluded with synchronised manoeuvring by the Suryakiran Aerobatics Team and Sarang helicopter display team, leaving the audience spellbound.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, beside others attended the event.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said one of the aims of organising the airshow in Guwahati was to attract youths from the Northeast towards the IAF and aviation sector as a career and to serve the nation.

The fly-past featured formations named after iconic landmarks of the Northeast - Lachit, Kaziranga, Manas, Haati (Elephant), and Barak - symbolising the region’s heritage blended with the might of modern aviation.

The LCA Tejas, flying under the call sign “Lachit”, opened the display as a tribute to Assamese war hero Lachit Barphukan, while Apache helicopters under the call sign “Rhinoceros” honoured the region’s wildlife.

The event, however, resulted in traffic snarls on the stretch of about 8kms along the Brahmaputra as thousands thronged to witness the air display.