As part of the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations at Lachit Ghat on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati on Sunday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will fly all of the aircraft that participated in Operation Sindoor in a unique formation known as "Barak."
Frontline fighter planes, such as the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, and Mirage aircraft, will be part of the formation. These aircraft were used in Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes on terror facilities in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam terror incident.
Along with other dignitaries like Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will join the forces on Sunday to witness the spectacle amid the picturesque beauty of the river in the presence of Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Surat Singh.
Over the next two days, the IAF will host the first ever comprehensive air show in the Northeastern area at Guwahati. Eastern Air Command is hosting a demonstration this weekend at Lachit Ghat above the Brahmaputra River to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force. More than 75 fighter helicopters and aircraft will be on display in more than 25 formations.
Heavy transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, and IL-78 refueller will participate, as will frontline fighter jets like the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage, Jaguar, and attack helicopters like the Apache. Advanced light helicopters and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team will also participate.
The IAF is hosting such a large scale air show in the Northeast for the first time. Defense PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat told news agency PTI that nearly all of the IAF's planes and helicopters will be on exhibit. "Our sky warriors will demonstrate their skill, accuracy, and aerial capability up close for the public to witness."
According to Rawat, the display aims to encourage young people in the area to think about pursuing jobs in the military in addition to showcasing military might.
The purpose of the event is to promote discipline, a sense of service, and patriotism. On both sides of the riverbed, designated observation spots have been established," he continued.
Large crowds have gathered along the riverbank as rehearsal flights have been in operation since earlier this week. The "Flying Display 2025" timetable states that the performance will take place on both days between 12:30 and 2:00 pm. Seven air bases in the area Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Chabua, Hasimara, Bagdogra, and Panagarh will serve as the aircraft's operating bases.
In reaction to the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, Indian Defence Forces began precision strikes at nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) early on May 7 as part of "Operation Sindoor."
Over 100 terrorists were murdered in the attacks, including four close aides and ten relatives of Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) leader Masood Azhar.
The Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, and Jaish's Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur were among the targets. Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad, three of Lashkar's strongholds, were also struck. Among those targeted were Hizbul Mujahideen's facilities at Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot and Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli.
