Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai paid tribute to Wing Commander Hanumanta Rao Sarathi (34), who was killed in a fighter plane crash while undergoing training in Gwalior on Saturday January 28.
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of Belagavi-based Wing Commander Hanumanta Rao Sarathi who died in a fighter plane crash during training in Gwalior. My tributes to the departed hero. I pray that God gives strength to the family of the martyred soldier to bear this pain. Om Shanti,” he wrote on Twitter.
The tragic incident happened due to a collision between two fighter jets on January 28 in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, involving a Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000.
“IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family,” the IAF said in the statement.
Sarathi attended Belagavi’s Kendriya Vidyalaya 2 for his schooling. He settled in Gwalior with his wife and kids after becoming a pilot. Since 2009, Sarathi has been serving in the Indian Air Force.
He is survived by his parents, wife Mimansha, a three-year-old daughter and a year-old son.
