IAF compensation for victim’s kin

The IAF today announced a compensation of Rs 40,000 for the family of a civilian killed in yesterday’s MiG-21 crash at Lalgam village i...

The IAF today announced a compensation of Rs 40,000 for the family of a civilian killed in yesterday’s MiG-21 crash at Lalgam village in Budgam district of J-K.

Air Commodore K. Raja Ram told mediapersons that the family of Ghulam Ahmad Ganaie, who was killed in the crash, would be given Rs 40,000 as compensation while two injured persons would be given Rs 8,000 and Rs 4,000. He said the damage to Ganaie’s house, which caught fire and was reduced to rubble after the aircraft crashed into it, would be assessed and adequate compensation would be given.

Ram refuted claims of a militant outfit that the plane had been shot down. A court of inquiry has been ordered into the incident. A high level team of IAF experts flew to Srinagar today to make an on the spot inspection of the wreckage of the MiG-21 fighter which crashed before landing at the airport here yesterday.

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They said the pilot of the aircraft, flying officer B.K. Singh who is now recovering was interviewed at length by the team of experts. The pilot who was in continuous touch with the ground control till moments before his ejection has reportedly said that the aircraft’s sophisticated radars had not shown any incoming missile or ground fire.

The MiG-21 was of type 75 variant of which the IAF has about eight squadrons, all of which are undergoing upgradation under a Rs 1,200 crore deal with Russia. These aircraft were manufactured in India during 1982-83. IAF sources said a decision had been taken to phase out the MiG-21 fl variant, which are the oldest in the inventory having been inducted in ’60s.