After over 30 years, Dakota aircraft that was instrumental in saving Kashmir for India will again fly in Indian Air Force colours

Just ahe of first India-Pakistan was of 1947-48, Pakistan-sponsored militants closed in on Srinagar to claim Kashmir for newly formed Pakistan. Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh signed instrument of accession with India and first and immediate task for Indian forces was to save Kashmir from clutches of invers. 

All would but be lost if it wasn't for three DC-3 Dakota aircraft of No.12 Squron that took off from Delhi with Indian troops who reached just in time to ensure that Kashmir remained a part of India. 

After first Dakota that was flown by Wing Commander KL Bhatia with 1 Sikh Regiment, 28 more DC-3 sorties were flown through day including six civilian sorties. 

Over years, during Sino-India war and Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Dakota played a crucial role in logistics by para-dropping troops, material and supplies. 

But after 1971, Dakota was waned away and replaced in Indian Army by Avro HS 748. Consecutively, Dakotas, which h become staple transport aircraft for Indian Air Force was phased out and a few DC-3s were given to Border Security Force(BSF). 

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Post-1987, use of Dakotas was completely ceased after a glorious stretch of about 50 years from when it was gifted to Royal Indian Army. On 18, February 2018, aviators who h flown reliable Dakota for Indian Army started a club called Gooney Bird group to reminiscence and keep alive memories of DC-3 by sharing anecdotes, trivia and experiences.

On October 8th, on Air Force Day, once again, Dakota will fly in public view in New Delhi donning Indian Air Force colours, and with Tail number VP-905, same as first Dakota that saved Kashmir for India. 

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, MP, gifted a Dakota DC-3 to Indian Air Force on behalf of his far Air Commodore MK Chandrashekhar, VM, VSM (Retd.) who h flown Gooney Bird for Indian Air force till his retirement in 1986. After buying aircraft in 2011, it took over 6 years to restore it to flying condition and on 26 April 2018, after crossing 8 countries over 8 days it landed at Hindon Air Force Station, UP.

refurbished aircraft has been named Parashurama after sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, believed to have come to earth to destroy evil forces, and is now part of elite vintage aircraft collection of Indian Air Force. Come Monday, Dakota with tail number VP-905 will once again soar in Indian airspace. 

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