Flt Lt S G Khonde: The aviator who bombed Tezgaon

 

 

Flt Lt Shrikrishna Gajanan Khonde, who has a garden and a road in his name in the city, laid down his life at the age of just 29 years in the line of duty, following the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

At the time of 1971 war, Flt Lt Khonde was serving with 37 Squadron, known as ‘Black Panthers’ and was based at Air Force Station Kalaikunda in West Bengal.

P G Khonde, the younger brother of Flt Lt Khonde, shared the tale of bravery of his brother with The Hitavada.

“Born on August 15, 1942 at Bhatapara in Raipur and brought up and matriculated at Nagpur, he made supreme sacrifice for his country and made us proud on December 4, 1971,” said P G Khonde.

A fully operational pilot of 37th Squadron of Hunters, had schooling at New English High School (NEHS) in Nagpur. His brilliance continues to be an inspiration for meritorious students of Class 10 of NEHS every year as of date through scholarship, said P G Khonde.

Flt Lt Khonde got commissioned as a fighter pilot at the age of 22 years, experienced the war first time during 1965 when he fought well against Pakistan. During 1971 war, he was the part of 37 Squadron of IAF.

The 37 Squadron was raised on December 23, 1957 at Air Force Station Palam with Squad-ron Leader Amrit Lal Bajaj as its first Commanding Officer. The Squadron was initially equipped with Vampire aircraft, but later got armed with the Hunter jet-bomber aircraft.

As the PAF attacked 11 Air Force bases on December 3, 1971, the IAF decided to launch counter offensive operations on the Eastern as well as Western front. On the Eastern front, the Indian forces launched a sophisticated campaign which included rapid-moving infantry and armour advancing from three directions, airborne and heliborne assaults, missile bombardments from ships and an amphibious landing.

The IAF’s task being primarily direct support of the ground forces. 37 Sqn with Wing Commander Swaroop Krishna Kaul as its commanding officer was tasked to undertake offensive missions against the targets on the eastern front. The first wave of attacks were launched on December 4, 1971 by 37 Sqn from Air Force Base at Tezpur. Flt Lt Khonde was tasked one such strike mission on that day.

As planned, Flt Lt Khonde took off in his Hunter aircraft (BA-266) on December 4 to conduct a raid over Tezgaon airport. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had 19 Sabre jets (F-86) and three Lockheed RT-33 reconnaissance aircraft deployed at Tezgaon and Kurmitola airports in Dhaka. The area was heavily defended by anti aircraft guns, but showing great courage, Flt Lt Khonde still pressed on with the attack causing extensive damage.

However, Flt Lt Khonde’s aircraft was hit by anti aircraft guns. Although he tried his best to bring his aircraft back, he could not succeed as the aircraft had taken extensive hits and eventually crashed over Tezgaon and got martyred.

“Flt Lt Khonde was a valiant soldier and committed air warrior. At Nagpur, he is honoured with a memorial of his name to a garden at New Shukrawari by NMC. Another memorial by naming a road at Khare Town in Dharampeth where we resided,” said P G Khonde.