Bust of Martyred Flight Lieutenant Indrajitsinh Gohil Unveiled at Songadh in Bhavnagar on Independence Day

Bhavnagar, August 15 — A bust of martyred Flight Lieutenant Indrajitsinh Dansinh Gohil was unveiled today in Songadh village of Bhavnagar district as part of Independence Day celebrations. The ceremony, attended by local residents, NCC cadets, and family members of the brave-heart, was a solemn tribute to his life and sacrifice.

Flight Lieutenant Gohil, born on 17 February 1956 in Songadh, was the son of Shri Danubha Kesarisinh Gohil, who retired as Deputy Superintendent of Police, and Smt Majirajba. He grew up alongside his brother, KS Gohil. His formative education took place at Sainik School, Balachadi, Gujarat, where his aspiration to serve in the Armed Forces took root. After completing school, he was selected for the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakvasala, as part of the 52nd Course, passing out in June 1977 at the age of 21.

Following NDA, he trained at the Air Force Academy as part of the 121st Pilots’ Course and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on 7 July 1978. Initially posted to a MiG-21 operational squadron at Jamnagar, he survived a serious air crash on 8 June 1982, sustaining a compression fracture. This led to his transfer to a helicopter squadron, where he excelled as a pilot and undertook numerous missions, including challenging sorties to the Siachen Glacier. He was later selected as an instructor for the Air Force Academy.

Flt Lt Gohil married Ms Aruna, daughter of Shri Majbutsinh Jadeja, an IPS officer, and the couple had two daughters, Krishnamala and Jagruti.

On 17 June 1987, while serving with 131 FAC Flight based at Halwara, Punjab, Flt Lt Gohil was engaged in flood relief operations in Jammu & Kashmir. Along with his co-pilot, Flying Officer Praveen Sharma, he was tasked with delivering relief supplies to flood-hit Padder in Kishtwar Tehsil and evacuating critically ill civilians to Jammu Hospital. Flying a Cheetah SA-315 helicopter, the duo encountered a fatal mishap when the aircraft became entangled in an aerial timber rope near Khilani village, Doda district. The helicopter’s rotors stopped, causing it to crash into the Chenab River.

Both pilots jumped into the swollen river and attempted to swim to safety but were overcome by strong currents. Despite extensive search operations by the Air Force, Army, and local administration, their bodies were recovered only on 13 July 1987, nearly 150 km downstream at the Salal Hydel Project. Flt Lt Gohil was 31 years old at the time of his sacrifice.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, and brother Lt Col KS Gohil (Retd). His daughter Krishnamala carried forward his legacy by joining the Indian Army and being commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps on 22 September 2007.

Today’s unveiling of his bust in Songadh stands as a lasting reminder of his courage, professionalism, and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation that would inspire the locals through generations. DeshGujarat