Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Air force (IAF) who sacrificed their lives while carrying out rescue operation in Arunachal.
The CM unveiled the bust of the IAF crew who lost their lives when the helicopter they were in met with an accident, killing all on board, near Sagalee in Arunachal Pradesh in 2017, during a rescue operation.
The helicopter was evacuating people stranded due to massive landslides caused by heavy rainfall that year.
Paying tributes to wing commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, flight lieutenant Pramod Kumar Singh and sergeant Rajendra Yashwant Gujjar, Khandu said “the people of Arunachal Pradesh will remember the supreme sacrifice made by these heroes of the IAF.”
He also remembered the supreme sacrifice of the state police official who was also on duty in the ill-fated chopper.
He said the state government has substantially enhanced the rate of ex gratia payment to central armed forces and central paramilitary forces operating in Arunachal “as a mark of respect and gratitude to them for sacrificing everything in service of the nation.”
The chief minister also expressed gratitude to the IAF for helping the state during crises and extending support whenever sought for.