Rewari Bids Farewell to Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav With State Honors

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, who sacrificed his life while saving his co-pilot during the Jaguar fighter jet crash in Gujarat's Jamnagar, was given a final farewell with full state honors today in his native village Bhalkhi Majra in Rewari, Haryana. 

The young IAF pilot's father performed the last rites at the cremation ground, where family members, villagers, and officials gathered to pay their respects to the fallen hero. 

Fiancée's Emotional Tribute

In heart-wrenching scenes at the funeral, Siddharth's fiancée Sania was inconsolable, repeatedly asking to see his face one last time. Despite her grief, she expressed her immense pride in his sacrifice.

"I am proud of Siddharth," said Sania, who had gotten engaged to him just days before the tragedy.

The couple had become engaged on March 23 and were planning to marry on November 2 this year. The family had been busy with wedding preparations when they received the devastating news. 

Heroic Final Act 

The 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant died on April 2 when his Jaguar fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie near Jamnagar. Before the crash, Siddharth made the heroic decision to eject his co-pilot first, ensuring his colleague's safety while sacrificing his own life.

Reports indicate that he also steered the malfunctioning aircraft away from densely populated areas, preventing potential civilian casualties. 

Military Family Legacy 

Siddharth came from a family with a strong military background. Both his grandfather and father had served in the armed forces before retirement. His father currently works with LIC after retiring from the Air Force. 

Siddharth joined the Indian Air Force after clearing the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam in 2016. After three years of rigorous training, he became a fighter pilot and had been serving the nation with distinction.

He had returned to duty at Jamnagar Air Force Station on March 31 after spending time with his family in Rewari, just two days before the fatal crash.

The entire Rewari district has been plunged into grief as it bids farewell to its brave son who upheld the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force by putting others' lives before his own.