Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh accorded state funeral; fly-past, 17-gun salute also held

A fly-past of Sukhoi-30 fighters and a 17-gun salute for Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh were held at his last rites ceremony at Delhi's Brar Square on Monday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday stated that along with a state funeral and an appropriate gun salute, a fly-past may take place, depending on the weather conditions, to honour the contribution of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

The funeral ceremony of Arjan Singh took place in the national capital with tribute paid to the five-star rank Air Force officer with full state honours.

The national flag was flown at half-mast at all government buildings in Delhi today as a mark of tribute to Arjan Singh.

Arjan Singh's body, wrapped in the flag, was taken from his home to the Delhi Cantonment in a gun carriage at the funeral site.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the chiefs of the Air Force, the Army and the Navy paid tribute at the last rites ceremony.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former Army chief Dalbir Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani also paid their last respects.

IAF Chief B.S. Dhanoa and Chief of Naval staff Sunil Lanba also paid tribute to the war hero.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the residence of Arjan Singh to express his condolences to the family.

The whole nation mourned the death of India's pride, who breathed his last on Saturday.

He was admitted to Army's Research and Referral hospital on Saturday morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

In praise of Arjan Singh, defence experts said that very few can equal him in stature and his contribution to the cause of the defence force as well as the country.