Categories: India

Kashmir's Hilal Ahmad Rather, first pilot to fly Rafale

<p class="p1">Air commodore Hilal Ahmad Rather has become a buzz name in Kashmir overnight. Hilal saw off the first batch of Rafale jets which took off from France to India today. Among other things, he has also been associated with the weaponization of the Rafale aircraft for acclimatization to Indian requirements.</p>
<p class="p1">Hilal is presently India's Air Attache in France.</p>
<p class="p1">The career details of this officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) read like the decoration scroll of the best flying officer anywhere in the world.</p>
<p class="p1">Born in the south Kashmir's Anantnag district to middle-class parents, Hilal's father, late Mohammad Abdullah Rather retired as a deputy superintendent of police (Dy SP) in J&K police department.</p>
<p class="p1">He has three sisters and is the only son of his parents.</p>
<p class="p1">Hilal studied in Sainik School in Nagrota town of Jammu district. He was commissioned in IAF as a fighter pilot on December 17, 1988.</p>
<p class="p1">He became flight lieutenant in 1993, wing commander in 2004, group captain in 2016, and air commodore in 2019.</p>
<p class="p1">He graduated from defence services staff college (DSSC). He also graduated from an air war college (USA) with distinction. He won the sword of honor in NDA.</p>
<p class="p1">Hilal is the recipient of the Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva medal.</p>
<p class="p1">With an impeccable record of 3,000 accident-free flying hours on mirage-2000, MIG-21 and Kiran aircraft, Hilal's name will now forever be associated with Rafale in India.</p>.

IANS

Recent Posts

Protests continue in Balochistan against new check posts

The highways in Balochistan remained closed for the tenth day in a row as transporters…

2 hours ago

India’s manufacturing growth momentum continues; future looks bright: HSBC

India's manufacturing sector started April month on a strong note, showing the second-fastest pace of…

2 hours ago

Taiwan preparing for possible increase in Chinese military drills after Taiwan’s President-elect takes oath

Taiwan is preparing for a possible increase in Chinese military drills are Taiwan's President-elect Lai…

4 hours ago

India, Norway extend health cooperation with 4th phase of NIPI

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra and Deputy Ambassador of Norway Martine Aamdal Bottheim signed the…

5 hours ago

India-UAE trade has surged by 16 pc, will continue to grow further, says Ambassador Alshaali

UAE Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali appreciated the rise in India-UAE trade by 16…

5 hours ago

Colombia to break diplomatic ties with Israel, citing genocide accusations

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has declared intentions to sever diplomatic relations with Israel due to…

6 hours ago