'Operation Bandar' was planned under utmost secrecy and most of the details were only known to the top planners, defence sources have revealed

The delivery of Rafales began with the first batch of five jets in September. Notably, it coincides with an ongoing border conflict with China in eastern Ladakh

India-China border conflict: While China claims that Indian soldiers illegally crossed the line of actual control (LAC) and entered its territory firing at its troops, army sources say that only warning shots were fired at the Chinese soldiers after they opened fire at the Indian positions late on Monday night

India-China border tension: The incident happened on the same day when a Brigade Commander-level meeting between the two sides took place in Chushul on the Indian side of the LAC.  However, the meeting did not produce any tangible outcome

Rather, a recipient of Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for devotion to duty, has more than 3,000 hours of accident free flying on MiG-21s, Mirage-zooo and Kiran aircraft

His appointment as chief of the WAC comes when it is enhancing operational deployment in eastern Ladakh in view of the border row with China

Singh also talked about the \"professional manner\" in which the IAF conducted the air strikes deep inside Pakistan's Balakot last year and appreciated the force for its proactive response in bolstering its operational capabilities over the past few months

China's PLA used the lull after the clashes to ramp up its troops in the four major points of contention. Consequently, the Indian Army has also increased its forces on its side of LAC

India-China border tension: This is because the disengagement process between India and China will be done in a phased manner that will involve de-induction of troops, artillery and armour

IAF Chief started his visit to Leh and Srinagar air bases on Wednesday evening after holding a top security review meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria piloted a MiG-21 fighter jet at Srinagar on first anniversary of Balakot airstrike

87th Indian Air Force Day: During the flypast at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and other IAF jawans who participated in the Balakot strike flew in 'Avenger' formation

Number nine squadron whose Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft carried out the Balakot strikes will also be awarded.

Experts believe that Abhinandan Varthaman's shooting of the Pakistani F-16 is the first instance of a MiG-21 Bison killing an F-16.