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IAF to conduct day-night drills on Ganga Expressway in UP's Shahjahanpur amid tensions over Pahalgam attack
As India prepares to avenge Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to carry out a major drill on the under-construction Ganga Expressway in UP's Shahjahanpur on Friday.
According to a News 18 report, a 3.5 km emergency airstrip in Shahjahanpur will be the site of take-off and landing drills on Friday, featuring some of the IAF's most advanced fighter and transport aircraft, including the Rafale, Jaguar, and Mirage jets.
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The airshow will also be used to assess the expressway's potential as an alternative runway during times of war or national emergencies, added the report.
Notably, this will be the country's first airstrip specifically designed to support both day and night landings of fighter jets, marking a significant boost to defence preparedness. It will also function as a dedicated training and rehearsal base for the Indian Air Force, reported News 18.
According to the report, citing the district administration, the air show will be conducted in two phases — during the day and at night — to test the strip's night landing capabilities. Fighter jets will perform low fly-pasts at an altitude of just one meter, followed by landing and take-off drills. The same sequence will be repeated from 7 pm to 10 pm, added the report.
To ensure comprehensive security, around 250 CCTVs have been installed on both sides of the airstrip. In preparation for the air show, the Indian Air Force has taken over operational control of the airstrip, with personnel from the Air Force and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) coordinating efforts.
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, Minister of State for Cooperation JPS Rathore, senior IAF officials, and local public representatives are expected to attend the event.
Aircraft participating in the exercise include:
Rafale – Equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and long-range Meteor missiles, capable of operating in all weather conditions
SU-30 MKI – A twin-seater multirole fighter jointly developed by India and Russia, capable of carrying long-range missiles like the BrahMos
Mirage-2000 – A French-origin aircraft known for deep-strike capabilities and nuclear readiness
MiG-29 – A high-speed fighter with advanced maneuverability and radar-evading abilities
Jaguar – Precision strike aircraft designed for ground attack and anti-ship missions
C-130J Super Hercules – A heavy-lift aircraft critical for special forces deployment, disaster relief, and rescue operations
AN-32 – A versatile transport aircraft for cargo and troop movement, especially in high-altitude terrains
MI-17 V5 – A multi-role helicopter used for search and rescue, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions
With this development, the Ganga Expressway will become the fourth expressway in Uttar Pradesh to feature an emergency airstrip, following similar facilities on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway (Unnao), Purvanchal Expressway (Sultanpur), and Bundelkhand Expressway (near Etawah).
However, it is the first in the state — and the country — to support night landings, significantly boosting the IAF's capability for round-the-clock operations.
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With inputs from agencies
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