Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav hailed from Majra Bhalkhi village in Haryana’s Rewari district, a region renowned for its rich legacy of military service. Born into a family deeply rooted in patriotic values, he was the son of Shri Sushil Kumar, a retired Indian Air Force personnel, and Smt. Sushila Devi. He completed his studies from 8th to 10th grade in Rewari before enrolling at Cambridge School to continue his education. From a young age, Flt Lt Siddharth stood out for his sharp intellect, humble demeanor, and unwavering determination to serve the nation. His passion for the armed forces was inspired by his surroundings and a proud family tradition of military service. His father had served in the Air Force, while his grandfather, Raghubir Singh, and great-grandfather had both served in the Indian Army. For Flt Lt  Siddharth, joining the defence forces was not merely a career choice—it was a legacy he was proud to inherit and a calling he was destined to fulfill.

In January 2016, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) as part of the 135th Course, where he underwent three years of rigorous military and academic training at Pune. His hard work and perseverance culminated in his commissioning into the Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer on 21 December 2019, specializing as a Fighter Pilot. As a part of the 204th Pilots' Course, he received comprehensive flight training and mastered the operation of various advanced fighter aircraft used by the IAF for strategic, logistical, and humanitarian missions. His skill, professionalism, and composure in the cockpit quickly earned him the respect of his instructors, peers, and senior officers. Recognizing his dedication and potential, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 21 December 2021. Known not only for his technical prowess but also for his humility, sense of responsibility, and unwavering discipline, Flt Lt Siddharth left a mark on everyone who had the honor of serving alongside him. Just ten days before tragedy struck, on March 23, Flt Lt Siddharth had joyfully exchanged rings with his fiancée in Delhi. The couple, full of dreams and anticipation, had set their wedding date for November 2—a new chapter awaiting them. But destiny, with its own design, had something else in store.

Operational Air Mission: 02 Apr 2025

In April 2025, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav was serving with the 224 Squadron of the Indian Air Force—also known as the "Warlords"—a unit renowned for its operational precision and strategic airlift capabilities. No. 224 Squadron, with Wing Commander Roy Andrew Massey as its first 'Commanding Officer,' was raised on July 4, 1983, at Air Force Station (AFS) Adampur in Punjab, equipped with the MiG-23MF aircraft. The squadron became operational with Air Defence (AD) as its primary role and Ground Attack (GA) as its secondary role. Nicknamed the "Warlords," the squadron relocated from Adampur to Halwara (Punjab) in April 1996 and later to Jamnagar (Gujarat) in September 1997. On March 31, 2007, the squadron conducted its final MiG-23MF flight, marking the end of an era. By that time, the Warlords had logged 32,581 flying hours on the MiG-23MF. Following this, the squadron was temporarily number-plated. In 2008, No. 224 Squadron was reactivated and re-equipped with the Jaguar aircraft, resuming its operational role. As a skilled and disciplined pilot, Flt Lt Siddharth was known among his peers for his calm demeanor, quick thinking, and deep commitment to duty.

On the night of April 2, 2025, at around 9:30 PM, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth and his co-pilot took off from the Jamnagar Airfield for a routine night flying mission in a Jaguar twin-seater fighter jet. The sortie was part of ongoing training exercises—something Flt Lt Siddharth had done many times before. But that night would be different. Shortly after takeoff, while flying over the Jamnagar region in Gujarat, the aircraft encountered a critical technical malfunction. What was meant to be a standard mission turned into a race against time. Flt Lt Siddharth had just moments to act. As the aircraft descended uncontrollably, it became clear that it was heading toward populated areas near Suvarda village, about 12 kilometers from Jamnagar city. In that life-or-death moment, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth’s instincts, training, and bravery took over. Fully aware of the risk to civilian lives, he chose not to eject immediately. Instead, he fought to manually steer the stricken jet away from homes, directing it toward an open field—far from where any innocent lives could be harmed. At the last possible moment, he instructed his co-pilot to eject, successfully saving his life. His co-pilot survived the crash and was admitted for treatment at a Jamnagar hospital. The Jaguar aircraft went down in a fiery crash, engulfed in flames as it hit the ground. There were no civilian casualties—a testament to the courage and presence of mind of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, who placed his nation above his own life. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the price of peace and the depth of duty. Flt Lt Siddharth Yadav was an accomplished Fighter pilot and a committed air warrior who laid down his life at the very young age of 28 years in the line of his duty.

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav is survived by his father, Shri Sushil Kumar, mother, Smt Sushila Devi, and his younger sister, Ms Khushi.