Service No : 22124
Birth Place : New Delhi
Service : Air Force
Last Rank : Wing Commander
Unit: SKAT
Date of Martyrdom : Mar 18, 2006
Wing Commander Dheeraj Bhatia
Wing Commander Dheeraj Bhatia hailing from New Delhi, was a fighter pilot of the IAF. He had joined the flying stream of the IAF in 1995, and gained experience of flying various fighter aircraft available in the IAF. Later he was selected to join the prestigious SKAT squadron based in Air Force station Bidar in Andhra Pradesh.
Kiran MK 2 Aircrash: 18 Mar 2006
During 2005-06, Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia was serving with 52 Sqn based at Air Force station Bidar. This sqn also known as SKAT was an aircraft aerobatic demonstration team of IAF. The Kiran aircraft employed in the aerobatic flew at speeds between 200 and 600 kmph during maneuvers and were exploited to the end of its abilities by the SKAT.
The team served as an ambassador of the Indian Air Force to showcase its prowess and professionalism. The aerobatics team always consisted of very experienced and highly skilled pilots as its role demanded flying skills of a very high level. All members of the SKAT were qualified flying instructors and were among the best fighter pilots in the IAF. These pilots whose main job was to fly highly risky aerobatic formations were selected after a rigorous selection process. It was one of the most coveted jobs in the IAF owing to the accolade, admiration, and respect that SKAT enjoyed in the IAF as well as people at large.
Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia was among the ace pilots who had flown fighter aircraft extensively and joined the famed SKAT. The pilots followed a rigorous training schedule to practice for daredevil aerobatics to achieve the desired level of perfection. One such sortie was scheduled on 18 Mar 2006 as part of their meticulously planned training calendar. On the ill-fated day of March 18, 2006, Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia took off on Kiran MK II fighter trainer jet from Hyderabad along with his colleague Sqn Ldr Shailendra Singh. During the training exercise in an unfortunate incident, two aircraft flying in a very close formation collided with each other. The aircraft being flown by Sqn Ldr Shailendra Singh and Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia went into a spin and crashed near Naubad, around three kilometers from Bidar in Karnataka. Tragically, Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia and Sqn Ldr Leader Shailendra Singh could not survive and laid down their lives in the service of the nation.
Wg Cdr Dheeraj Bhatia is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Tribute paid by nephew :
The bright star my family lost
I am thinking about the bright star my family lost in March of 2006. I think of him very often and the finality of death strikes me hard. I am talking about my Chachu, (my father’s first cousin) Wing Commander Dheeraj Bhatia, an ace pilot with the Indian Air Forces, who died when his plane crashed in Bidar during the routine sortie.
He was a hero, a bright star, young and talented and very passionate about what he did. I must have been 12-13 years old when he became a pilot and visited us in Ranchi. I remember the awe I felt just talking to him. I remember the warmth he oozed and how much I adored him. He was the real hero, charismatic and handsome and very lovable. And then a few years later he was chosen to be a part of the Surya Kiran Team, a team of very highly qualified air force pilots hand-picked for the role.
The entire family was elated and beyond pride. It was such a big deal and such a moment of honor. I remember the time his interview came on TV and how the entire family made it on time to see it. He was one person all the kids in the family looked up to. And then on the fateful day on 18th March 2006 he was killed. It just ended in a flash. He was gone and only memories remained, along with 2 adorable daughters and his wife.
“Chachu you have touched our lives in more ways than I can ever say and I cannot begin to write on how proud the entire family is. If at all you were with us today”.
Why I write this today after almost 5 yrs of the accident is because I am so hurt by some remarks that have been made belittling the armed forces. By the fact that people have the audacity to say that the men in uniform do it for money alone and that this is just a job like any other, and people take it up due to lack of other options. I can never understand what goes in the minds of retards that demean the armed forces.
I salute the heroes and their families. They live by what they believe and die by it too.
Profile Maintenance
This profile is currently being maintained by Honourpoint.in. However, we would invite the family members, unit/formation or former colleagues of this brave soldier to contribute additional information and maintain this memorial site as well, thereby assisting us in our endeavour to spread awareness about this great Indian and inspire future generations.
Contribute
- If you find any information that is incorrect or inappropriate or have additional information about the soldier that can be added to his memorial site, please contact us by using the tab given below.
Source
- https://thewhiterain.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/the-bright-star-my-family-lost/
- http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Accidents/details.php?crno=2006002
- http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-i-will-be-flying-soon-in-delhi-so-come-and-see-me-then-/736/
- http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/recent-crashes-of-aerial-display-teams-411952
- https://www.telegraphindia.com/1090122/jsp/nation/story_10424191.jsp
Disclaimer
Honourpoint.intakes utmost precaution towards factual correctness of the uploaded data and makes sure that the data is from a credible source. However, we do not take responsibility for authenticity of the content and Honourpoint.inor any of its members cannot be held responsible for any misappropriation of the uploaded content.
shashi
2018 at 10:21 amSalute sir …
Your supreme scarifice will always be remembered sir.
Jai Hind…
Vasant Kumar k v
2018 at 10:18 amIt was a very sad day for us in Bidar. I had met Wing Commander Dheeraj Bhatia and Shailendra Singh separately when they had visited Bidar branch of SBI where I was posted as the Chief Manager. On my personal behalf and on behalf of the SBI, I laid a wreath at the cremation. Needless to say that it was one of the most saddest day in my life. My heart reaches out to the families of the brave officers of the IAF.
Pradeep singh
2019 at 12:17 amSalute u sir,
U live in our hearts. Ur supreme sacrifice will be remembered for ages.
SH Raza
2019 at 11:24 amWe grew up together since 1976…
No words can describe this great son of the Nation… beyond words and above all praises.
Dhanuja N K
2021 at 11:25 amWe have no words to thank you for your sacrifice Sir and just want to tell you that you will always be a part of our prayers.
Thank You.
Sonu Rino Joseph
2021 at 6:48 pmThank you Sir for your unparalleled patriotism. I wish God blesses your family always. Proud of you Sir.
Jai Hind.
Shreya Kanojiya
2023 at 9:27 pmMay your soul rest in peace sir. Sendind more love and healing to your loved ones. I wish them the best in life and all the strength. May you be an inspiration to many and continue to be remembered with your bravery and courage..