Nagpur, March 7 Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who died in a Sukhoi fighter jet crash, was cremated with full military honors in his hometown, Nagpur, on Saturday, officials said.
The remains of the Indian Air Force officer were consigned to flames at Manewada Ghat in the presence of family, friends, relatives, defense personnel, and dignitaries, according to a release issued by the district administration.
Duragkar and Squadron Leader Anuj were killed when a Su-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, the IAF said on Friday. The jet was on a training mission and disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase on Thursday.
The IAF pilot's body was brought to New Delhi on Friday. After tributes were paid there, it was transported to the Air Force Station at Sonegaon in Nagpur. From there, it was taken to his residence in New Subedar Layout and handed over to the family on Saturday.
Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule paid tribute to Duragkar, saying his courage, dedication, and patriotism will forever inspire Nagpur and the entire nation.
Following military tradition, the final rites were performed with full military honors, including a ceremonial gun salute by soldiers, the release said.
The 28-year-old IAF pilot had participated in Operation Sindoor, which India launched to target terror bases in Pakistan following last year's Pahalgam attack, his father Ravindra Duragkar had said on Friday.
