MiG-21 to retire from IAF today
Six decades after they were inducted into the force, Indian Air Force’s workhorse, the legendary ussian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets, will finally retire from the IAF at a mega event to be held on Friday. A farewell will be bid to the fighter jets, which have been part of the
IAF’s combat fleet since the 1960s, at a decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where the iconic aircraft was first inducted over six decades ago. On Friday, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, will fly the last sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, had led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963.
BJP launches 3-month campaign
The BJP on Thursday launched a three-month long nationwide campaign to promote the use of swadeshi products. These products include all items manufactured in India, including by foreign companies, as swadeshi. During this campaign, that started today on the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay and will end on the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the BJP members will approach households to use swadeshi products and organise several programmes to promote the cause.
Pakistan to face India in finals
Pakistan booked their place in the Asia Cup summit clash against India with a hard-fought 11-run victory over Bangladesh in their Super Fours match on Thursday. Defending a modest 135 for eight, Pakistan's bowlers produced a disciplined effort to restrict Bangladesh to 124 for nine. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front with 3/17, while Haris Rauf impressed with 3/33 in the back-end. Saim Ayub (2/16) and Mohammad Nawaz (1/14) added crucial strikes to complete Pakistan's disciplined effort. Bangladesh, who had Pakistan tottering at 71 for six in the 14th over after opting to bowl, will regret letting the game slip with sloppy fielding.
Pak PM holds meet with Yunus
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus and President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake and discussed bilateral ties, it was announced on Thursday. The meetings were held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York where all three leaders were present to attend the session.