1965 war hero, Indian Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh dies at 98 due to heart attack

The Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, 98, passed away following cardiac arrest on Saturday. He was admitted in a critical condition at the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited the hospital to inquire after his health. Speaking on the conditions of the Marshal of the Air Force, PM Modi said they are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also paid him a visit at the R&R hospital on Saturday.

Arjan Singh was the lone officer in the Indian Air Force to be conferred with the rank of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force. The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war. The Marshal has flown over 60 aircraft and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away. He was admitted at Army Hospital R&R after he suffered a heart attack earlier today. pic.twitter.com/JHxyo7Y9cU

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

He retired in August 1969. In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh was renamed Air Force Station after the Marshal. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps, Mountain Strike Corps.