1971 WAR VETERAN ANIL BHALLA DIES OF COVID-19 AT 74
Squadron leader Anil Bhalla (Retd), who as a young flying officer flew MIG-21 sorties during the 1971 Indo-pak war, has died after battling coronavirus, people in the family said on Tuesday. The 74-year-old flying ace, a native of Mumbai, died on Monday night at Hyderabad where he had settled after retirement from the Air Force in 1984, people familiar with the development said.
Sqn Ldr Bhalla, who joined the National Defence Academy’s 32nd course after studying at Sainik School Satara in western Maharashtra, was commissioned into the IAF’S fighter wing in 1968 and operated from the Tezpur-based 28th Squadron, flying the Russian-origin aircraft.
During the 1971 war, he flew several “active attack missions” to heavily defended targets like the Governor House in Dhaka, which became instrumental in forcing Pakistan’s surrender, a former colleague said.
Dhaka emerged as the free capital of independent Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, but two days ahead of the ceremonial surrender, the air raid on the then Governor House marked the dissolution of the Pakistani administration there in a dramatic manner.
Sqn Ldr Bhalla was also the youngest flying officer to get the Master Green IR (instrument rating), awarded to pilots who have displayed superior airmanship. It recognises a higher level of experience and accomplishment in instrument flying.
He was also a qualified flying instructor at the fighter training wing at Hakeempet. The air veteran, who had a successful career in the construction business after retirement from the Air Force, is survived by wife, a son and two daughters.
DURING THE 1971 WAR, HE FLEW SEVERAL “ACTIVE ATTACK MISSIONS” TO HEAVILY DEFENDED TARGETS LIKE THE GOVERNOR HOUSE IN DHAKA