Flight to Pakistan

Shantanu, a retired IPS, reminisces about a flight to Pakistan, when he was a part of the SPG, to protect the then PM Rajiv Gandhi, in 1988. He profiles ace pilot, Group Capt. AG Bewoor. We are republishing a Facebook post, in Different Truths, with the author’s permission.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) Advance Security Team meant to protect the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his wife at the Islamabad SAARC summit, in 1988, was flown to the Rawalpindi in a huge IL-76 aircraft piloted by Group Capt AG Bewoor. This giant transport aircraft, also known as ‘Gajaraj’, carried two bullet-proof cars, several sophisticated security gadgetries in addition to a team of a dozen crack SPG officials under Vijay Raman. I was the second in command of the entourage.

I had not known Bewoor before except for the fact that he was the son of erstwhile Army Chief, Gen GG Bewoor. Smartly clad in a blue Indian Air Force uniform, Bewoor displayed immense confidence and excitement to fly over the Pakistani skies. We too were on cloud nine about the visit to Pakistan, that too during a turbulent period (military dictator Gen Zia ul Haq had died in an air crash barely four months ago and Benazir was the new PM).

On a cold December morning, ‘Gajaraj’ landed at the Rawalpindi airport. It was the maiden flight on ‘Gajaraj’ for all of us. As the inbuilt ramp was lowered and the custom-made bullet-proof cars rolled down, there was a line-up of several Pakistani airport officials curious keen to get a close look at the massive plane. The SPG commandos then got down one by one in a rehearsed drill to impress the Pakistanis from the word go. This was also watched with curiosity and awe. But the focus was on ‘Gajaraj’.

After the plane was cleared, Bewoor was back in the cockpit at electric speed. Taking our leave, he said he would come again on Jan 2, 1989, to pick us up for the return flight to Delhi. It was a delight to see the huge Russian dragon speeding on the tarmac and then disappearing into the Pakistani skies within minutes. Those Pakistani officials and workers, oblivious of their duties, fixed their eyes on the ‘Gajaraj’ till it vanished from sight and its roar ceased. The impact was awesome. Pakistan had a C-130 Hercules transport plane (Incidentally, this was the plane Gen Zia-ul-Haq was traveling in when it crashed, killing him). But seeing ‘Gajaraj’ was obviously a treat for the Pakistanis.

Then came Jan 2. After a successful ‘mission accomplished’, the SPG team waited for Bewoor and ‘Gajaraj’ to take us back. All eyes were once again fixed to spot the aircraft emerging from the clouds and then landing. I never knew this plane would make such an impact on the Pakistanis. We were, and are, so proud of our Air Force.

In the meantime, a team of Pakistani officers took me aside and made a request. They asked me to persuade Group Capt Bewoor to taxi the plane for 3-4 kilometres on the runway and only then start the ‘take-off’ activity. This team appeared nervous and their pleading tenor was most un-Pakistani.

Surprised by such a request, I asked for reasons for take-off from such a distance. They said when Bewoor went back after dropping us, ‘Gajaraj’ while running on the tarmac and during liftoff had caused about a dozen Pakistani aircraft, in the hangars or parked outside, to topple over, turning topsy turvy. Such was the impact. They did not want this to be repeated and hence this request. Their plea seemed genuine.

Bewoor walked in smartly with his aviator glasses and lit-up face. I passed on the Pakistani request to him. Without batting an eyelid, the IAF Commander said ‘No’. He added, “We will take off like last time and no bloody compromise.” The hosts pleaded once again but Bewoor was adamant. We felt so proud of our pilot. No sooner had we boarded the plane and loaded the bullet-proof cars and other paraphernalia, Bewoor started the engine and here went ‘Gajaraj’ running like a super sprinter and took off from Pakistani soil.

I had taken a seat towards the rear to see the fate of the Pakistani planes. As soon as the lift-off was in progress, I saw several Fokker Friendship planes of the PIA and many light vehicles parked toppling down amid a sea of dust kicked off by the mighty ‘Gajaraj’. The scene was an experience of pride and honour. Only Bewoor made it possible. I tried to capture these unforgettable memories as ‘Gajaraj’soared higher and higher under the command of Group Capt AG Bewoor.

I walked into the cockpit for a chat with Bewoor. He looked incredibly happy and told me that we should never give in to the Pakistanis on such requests. His action encouraged extra pride in us as the opportunity to defy Pakistanis on their soil has always been an exception than a rule. It was a thousand times better than defeating Pakistan in cricket on their own turf! Bewoor did it and yes, he was the Man of the Match. My memories of other professional duties across the 10-day stay in Islamabad fade into oblivion when compared to this unique experience!

In the feature photo above, Shri Vijay Raman is seen at the centre with me on his left, and on his right is technical expert, Late Shri Thakur Singh. All seated inside the mighty ‘Gajaraj’ with a VVIP bulletproof car partly seen. This is the plane piloted to and fro, by Group Capt. Bewoor.

Handling Pakistani security was a tough challenge…

(From the author’s Timeline on FB, dated Jan 5, 2021)

Photo by the author , internet and visual by Different Truths