President Murmu posed for a photo with Rafale pilot, Pakistan claimed to have captured it during ‘Operation Sindoor’

New Delhi: In a powerful display of India’s air power, President Draupadi Murmu completed a 30-minute flight in a Rafale fighter jet at Ambala Air Force Station on Wednesday – becoming the first Indian President to fly in both a Sukhoi-30 MKI and a Rafale jet.

What made the moment more attractive was his presence with the country’s first woman Rafale pilot, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh – the same officer whom Pakistan falsely claimed to have captured during ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s precision air strikes on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May.

Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, 29, from Varanasi is part of the Golden Arrow squadron and joined the IAF in 2017.

Before flying the Rafale, she piloted the MiG-21 Bison, symbolizing India’s emerging generation of women fighter pilots.

Notably, during ‘Operation Sindoor’ Pakistan’s propaganda machinery circulated fake videos claiming that India had lost one Rafale and that Singh had been captured near Sialkot – these claims were later rejected by PIB Fact Check as “baseless and fabricated”.

His presence alongside the Rafale, along with a pilot who symbolizes India’s new defense confidence, sent a clear and unmistakable message across the border – that India’s skies are safe, and its spirit unshakable.

The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for about 30 minutes, covering a distance of about 200 kilometers before returning to the air force station.

The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron. The plane flew at an altitude of about 15,000 feet above sea level and at a speed of about 700 kilometers per hour.

Later, the President expressed his sentiments by writing a brief note in the visitor’s book, in which he said, “I am delighted to visit Air Force Station Ambala for my maiden flight on the Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Flying on the Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me.”

“This maiden flight of the mighty Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the defense capabilities of the country. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station, Ambala for the successful conduct of this flight.” The President further said.

–IANS