Family of IAF pilot who died in Mig-21 crash treated rudely by co-passengers on flight
New Delhi: The family members of Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal, who was killed in a Mig-21 crash on Thursday, were treated with complete disregard by some of their co-passengers on an Indigo flight when they were asked to wait and allow the Bal family to disembark first.
Advitiya Bal's family was travelling on the Delhi-Jodhpur flight to receive his body.
Sherbir Panag, who was on the same flight, related the incident in a Twitter post.
Wing Commander M Rana and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal died after the Indian Air Force's MiG-21 trainer aircraft crashed during a training sortie in Rajasthan's Barmer on July 28.
"Was on the IndiGo flight from Delhi to Jodhpur. Flt Lt Bal’s family was sitting adjacent to me in row 3. As we landed the Captain requested everyone to remain seated to allow for the Bal family to disembark expeditiously. Everyone in row 1 and 2 disregarded the announcement," Panag said.
Was on the @IndiGo6E flight from Delhi to Jodhpur. Flt Lt Bal’s family was sitting adjacent to me in row 3. As we landed the Captain requested everyone to remain seated to allow for the Bal family to disembark expeditiously. Everyone in row 1 & 2 disregarded the announcement 1/2
— Sherbir Panag 🇮🇳 (@Sherbir) July 29, 2022
Panag is the son of lieutenant general (retired) HS Panag and brother of actor Gul Panag.
He said that other passengers did not allow the flight lieutenant's family to pass.
"I and a few passengers had to scream at the top of our voices to make them sit down and allow the Bal family to pass. It was absolutely shocking to see one’s fellow countrymen and women behave in this tone-deaf, selfish manner. That's the reality of our respect for sacrifice," he added.
Indian Air Force headquarters has already ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.
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