Air Marshal RN Bharadwaj, junior-most IAF officer awarded Maha Vir Chakra for role in 1971 War, no more

Fondly referred to as ‘Mummy’ by IAF colleagues, former AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command passed away on 13 Feb at his residence in Noida. He was 89.

File photo of Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj | X@AnchitGupta9

New Delhi: Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj, the junior-most Indian Air Force (IAF) officer to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his valour in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war passed away on 13 February, 2024 at his residence in Noida. He was 89.

Air Marshal Bharadwaj, fondly referred to by his colleagues as “Mummy”, was commissioned into the Air Force in 1955 from the 66th pilot course. He superannuated from the service in 1993. His career spanning almost four decades saw him serving with the No.20 Squadron operating Hawker Hunters during the 1971 war.

On 5 December 1971, Squadron Leader Bharadwaj led a raid on a Pakistani airfield, damaging an enemy heavy transport aircraft. On 8 December 1971, Squadron Leader Bharadwaj, along with Flying Officer V.K. Heble, Flying Officer B.C. Karambaya and Flight Lieutenant A.L. Deoskar led a raid on the Murid airbase, roughly 120 kilometres inside of Pakistani territory, as reported by NDTV.

The raid destroyed five enemy aircraft. The Murid airbase raid is one of the most successful in the history of the IAF, as never has a single raid by the Air Force destroyed as many enemy aircraft as that did.

On 10 December 1971, he led a close support mission to the Chhamb area and engaged with Pakistan Air Force F-86 Sabres. His aircraft along with that of his number two was damaged by enemy fire. He successfully guided his number two safety, before engaging and shooting down a PAF F-86 Sabre, which fell inside of Indian lines.

Squadron Leader Bharadwaj continued his attacks on Pakistani tanks and ground forces before returning to base.

His actions during the 1971 War earned him a Maha Vir Chakra, which was notified in the Gazette of India on 12 February, 1972. “He has displayed exceptional gallantry, leadership and bravery in the face of heavy odds, which are in the highest traditions of the Air Force,” read the presidential citation of the Maha Vir Chakra.

Post the 1971 War, Air Marshal Bharadwaj was Commodore Commandant of the No. 26 Squadron before being appointed as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command in May 1992, before superannuating from the force in 1993.

(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)