‘Indian radar controllers were caught napping’

I had elaborated clearly that I had followed orders and all that I did was in the line of duty. I had also said that I had strictly followed the rules of business. So after having said all this,I do not think there was an occasion or the need to be sorry and apologise.

The Indian Express has polluted a perfectly sincere and honest effort on my part to tell the families in great detail as to what exactly happened on that fateful day. I wish to inform the readers of The Indian Express that the entire blame for this catastrophe lies with the IAF and civil aviation radar controllers on that day in that sector.

It was a VVIP flight with the chief minister of Gujarat and his wife along with personal staff,a reporter and two pilots on board. The IAF had refused permission to this flight saying that they cannot allow it because the destination,Mithapur,is in a sensitive area. But then under pressure from the CM’s office,they allowed the mission at their own risk.

The aircraft drifted off course by many miles to such an extent that it reached the Pak border where it spent considerable time looking for the destination. Not having found the town of Mithapur,he (the pilot) turned towards Bhuj,where the nearest landing strip was available. Having flown along the border for a considerable time,it gave an irrefutable impression to PAF controllers at Badin that this aircraft was on a recce mission to open a new front.

In April ‘65,the countries almost came to war over Rann of Kutchh and for a period of three months the forces of both countries were on high alert. Therefore,there was a high level of sensitivity about the area where this ill-fated civilian plane was allowed to fly due to criminal negligence of the Indian controllers.

I flew into the Indian air space at 20,000 ft and intercepted the target about four or five minutes after a steep descent to 3000 ft. I was made to wait about four minutes before being given instructions to shoot. There was a good 10-minute lapse before I took my first shot at the Beechcraft. PAF controller at Badin informed me of a scramble from Jamnagar after I had shot down the Beechcraft and was exiting the spot. I can only say that Indian radar controllers were caught napping till such time that Jungoo Engineer gave his May Day calls just before being shot down.

Therefore,I think that The Indian Express should locate those controllers who were on duty at that time in that sector and ascertain what had happened and why did they allow the VIP flight to drift off course by such a distance and did not spot the intrusion by an aircraft from Pakistan at 20,000 ft. Put these gentlemen on media or court trial for negligence and have them apologise to the seven families who lost their dearest ones.”