New Delhi: Air Commodore (retd) Jasjit Singh, one of India’s leading strategic thinkers, passed away yesterday. He was 79.
He was cremated at the Brar Square cremation ground with many serving and retired officers from the three services present. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne and other top officers laid wreaths.
Known as a passionate professional, Jasjit Singh taught flying to many a top air force officer, headed the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) during a long tenure, and after retirement from there, set up the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), a think tank dedicated to studying modern and futuristic air power trends.
CAPS has done many useful studies on air power strategic issues for the Indian Air Force.
He wrote or edited a large number of books and contributed in positive to the go-ahead for India’s 1998 nuclear explosion, when IDSA was asked by the government about the likely international implications. Both he and K Subrahmanyam, his predecessor in IDSA, prodded the government to go ahead.
Born on July 8, 1934, Jasjit Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra for displaying gallantry during the 1971 war. As a squadron leader then, he attacked and destroyed many Pakistani tanks and bunkers. He displayed determination and devotion to duty of a high order, according to the citation for the honour.
In 2006, president APJ Abdul Kalam conferred Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian award, on him for his contributions to strategic thought.
A prayer meeting will be held in Gurgaon.
IANS
