Tags:
Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, March 8: When Flight Lieutenant Mohit Abrol spoke to his father R C Abrol, over the phone on Saturday, neither could have imagined that it would be their last conversation.
Flt Lt Mohit, a highly rated AN-32 pilot posted with the IAF’s Agra-based Paratroop Training Centre, was the captain of the ill-fated Air Force aircraft which crashed near Delhi on Sunday, killing 21 persons.
“We received the information in the evening… it was beyond belief…." Abrol said. “We have still not broken the news to his mother and sister. Though they can suspect something is wrong, we are assuring them," he added.
Abrol, a retired ITI instructor settled at Quadian, is visiting his married daughter residing in Sector 15. Very keen on joining the services, Flt Lt Mohit had been commissioned into the IAF’s Flying Branch in 1991. "He had got through the banking services entrance after doing his B.Sc, but resigned from there just 10 days after joining, when the call from the IAF came," Abrol said. They had metlast month when Mohit had gone to Dalhousie on official duty.
He had also been exceptionally bright in academics, earning scholarships throughout his student days. "Even in the Air Force, he was awarded two trophies for his flying skills and professional work," Abrol said. "His colleagues say that his grading as a pilot was above average," Abrol added.
Prior to his posting to Agra, Mohit had served with 48 Squadron at Chandigarh. The 29-year old flier had wed Rosie, who is still in Agra, about an year back. They have no children.
