NASHIK: Thousands bid an emotional farewell to IAF pilot, Squadron Leader Ninad Mandavgane, who was cremated with full military honours here on Friday, officials said.
Mandavgane, the pilot of a MI-17 V5 helicopter, was one of the six airmen killed after the chopper crashed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Badgam district on Wednesday.
As the last rites began, the bugle sounded the ‘Last Post’, airmen reversed their rifles to pay tribute to Mandavgane, who was in his early 30s, amid cries of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Shahid Ninad Amar Rahe’.
Mandavgane’s two-year old daughter, Nia kissed his coffin as her mother Vijeta, her (paternal) uncle Neerav and grandparents stood beside her stoically.
Present at the funeral were top dignitaries and officials including Nashik Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan and collector B. Radhakrishnan.
[source_without_link]IANS[/source_without_link]