How Nagaland’s Dimapur became ‘birthplace’ of Bangladesh Air Force

November 2, 2023 15 Views No Comment

Kohima, November 2 (MExN): The origin of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) can be traced to the most unlikely place – Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, in the early 1970s during the country’s Liberation War.

The BAF came into existence with one Chetak, one Armed Otter, and one Dakota, along with 9 officers and 57 men on September 28, 1971, in Dimapur, informed a press release from the PRO & Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, Kohima.

On that fateful day, three pilots – Squadron Leader Sultan Ahmed and Flight Lieutenant Badrul Alam, who had defected from the Pakistan Air Force, and a civilian pilot, Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed, commenced their training with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Kilo Flight in Dimapur.

This was deemed to be the first BAF unit, added the PRO release.

After the birth of erstwhile East Pakistan as Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, the Kilo Flight aircraft, riddled with bullets but still flight-worthy, were handed over to the country in Dhaka by India.

To keep the spirit of the Liberation War alive among its personnel, 20 officers and personnel of the BAF, led by Group Captain Tanvir Marzan, visited Dimapur on October 31 to commemorate its Raising Day.

Officers and personnel of the IAF, including those belonging to the Dornier and MI 17-V5 squadrons with a historical connection to the Kilo Flight, interacted with the BAF personnel. The BAF has always shown keen interest in visiting important locations that were relevant during the 1971 Liberation War, the PRO release maintained.

The visit reflects the deep ties and camaraderie between the Air Forces of the two countries and acknowledges the role of the IAF in the Liberation of Bangladesh, it added.