Puttur techie Hafiz KA appointed sub-lieutenant of Indian Navy

New Delhi, Jul 29: Air Commodore Hilal Ahmad Rather has become a buzz name in Kashmir overnight. Hilal saw off the first batch of Rafale jets which took off from France to India on Monday. Among other things, he has also been associated with the weaponisation of the Rafale aircraft for acclimatisation to Indian requirements.

Hilal is presently India's Air Attache in France.

The career details of this officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) read like the decoration scroll of the best flying officer anywhere in the world.

Born in the south Kashmir's Anantnag district to middle-class parents, Hilal's father, late Mohammad Abdullah Rather retired as a deputy superintendent of police (Dy SP) in J&K police department. He has three sisters and is the only son of his parents. Hilal studied in Sainik School in Nagrota town of Jammu district.

He was commissioned in IAF as a fighter pilot on December 17, 1988, became flight lieutenant in 1993, wing commander in 2004, group captain in 2016 and air commodore in 2019.

He graduated from defence services staff college (DSSC). He also graduated from air war college (USA) with distinction. He won the sword of honour in NDA. Hilal is also the recipient of Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva medal.

With an impeccable record of 3,000 accident-free flying hours on mirage-2000, MIG-21 and Kiran aircraft, Hilal's name will now forever be associated with Rafale in India.

Mangaluru, July 31: Extending Eid al-Adha greetings to the people, S M Rashid Haji, president of the Bearys chamber of commerce & industry has termed the festival as a symbol of sacrifice and patience. 

“Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Ibraheem’s (a) test of faith and sacrifices. It symbolizes sacrifice and endurance,” he said.

“Every human being during his lifetime faces one or the other test from the Almighty… Now we are collectively facing the hardship... May this festival bring goodness and peace, and herald the end of pandemic,” he said.