Sqn Ldr Ravindra Kumar Khanna

Squadron Leader Ravindra Kumar Khanna hailed from Amritsar, Punjab, and was born in the year 1952.  He was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his school days, and eventually got selected to join the IAF after his graduation. He was commissioned into the meteorological branch of the IAF on 1st January 1974 at the age of 22 years. He joined as a 'Ground Duty Officer' in the Indian Air Force and underwent training as part of the 55th batch of the GDOC (Ground Duty Officers’ Course). He served with various flying squadrons located at different Air Force bases. He gradually developed into a committed officer displaying professionalism, leadership qualities, and unwavering dedication to duty. His commendable performance earned him a promotion to the rank of Squadron Leader, a position in which he truly came into his own as a leader.

 

On the personal front, the year 1978 marked a significant milestone in his life when he got married to Ms Nirmal. The couple later became proud parents of a son and a daughter, building a warm and supportive family life alongside his professional commitments. By the year 1990, Squadron Leader Ravindra Kumar Khanna had completed over 15 years of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force. Over the years, he had evolved into a seasoned air warrior—highly respected for his dedication, integrity, and professional competence.

 

 

In the year 1990, Squadron Leader Ravindra Kumar Khanna was serving as a 'Meteorological Officer' at the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar. A seasoned officer known for his dedication and professionalism, Sqn Ldr Khanna was stationed in the Kashmir valley during a period of heightened unrest and insurgency. On the morning of January 25, 1990, Sqn Ldr Khanna, along with three fellow IAF personnel—Corporal BS Duhoon, Corporal Shekhar VU, and Leading Aircraftsman Ajaz Ahmad—was waiting at the Rawalpora bus stand near Srinagar for their routine transport to work. It was a seemingly ordinary day, but it turned tragic in an instant. As the four airmen stood at the bus stand, they were ambushed by armed militants. The attackers, allegedly belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), opened fire indiscriminately with automatic weapons. The assault was brutal and swift, leaving all four airmen fatally wounded and injuring ten other civilians in the vicinity.

 

In the face of the sudden and violent attack, Sqn Ldr Khanna displayed remarkable courage and presence of mind. Realizing the imminent danger to his colleagues, he instinctively attempted to shield them from the hail of bullets. His selfless act of bravery came at a great cost—he absorbed multiple gunshots in the process. A post-mortem examination later revealed that he had sustained 27 bullet wounds. At the time of his death, Sqn Ldr Ravindra Khanna was just 38 years old. The tragic incident occurred during a period marked by a sharp escalation in militancy and violence in Jammu and Kashmir. The killing of the four IAF personnel was not only a grim reminder of the dangers faced by armed forces personnel serving in conflict zones but also a catalyst that brought national attention to the deteriorating security situation in the valley. Sqn Ldr Khanna’s supreme sacrifice and gallant attempt to protect his comrades stand as a shining example of valour, selflessness, and duty to the nation. 

 

Squadron Leader Ravindra Kumar Khanna is survived by his wife Smt Nirmal Khanna, son, and daughter.