Varanasi: The skies above Kashi echoed with the deafening roar of fighter jets on Saturday as the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a rehearsal for its proposed Air Force Day fly-past scheduled in Oct. The thunderous sound of three fighter aircraft drew residents out of their homes and onto rooftops, while hundreds paused on roads and ghats to watch the jets perform manoeuvres across the city’s skyline.The exercise, officials said, was a routine rehearsal conducted as part of the Air Force Day’s extended celebrations on Oct 25. Simultaneously, IAF personnel monitored the operation from the helipad area at Namo Ghat, which was converted into a high-security zone for the duration of the exercise.Even before the fighter jets entered the city’s airspace, Namo Ghat Phase II, where a multi-helicopter landing facility has been developed, had been sealed off. IAF officials reached the site early to monitor the rehearsal and assess logistical and security arrangements for the proposed event. Public movement towards the Phase II area was temporarily restricted.The attention of residents was drawn by the thunderous roar of the aircraft overhead. People at markets, roadsides and public places, as well as those who rushed to rooftops from their homes, watched in awe as the three fighter jets flew in different formations over the city. The spectacle generated excitement not only in Varanasi but also in nearby rural areas, where the sound of the aircraft could be heard. Many residents recorded videos and photographs of the jets on their mobile phones.However, officials from the IAF and the local administration did not officially comment on the exercise.For the proposed fly-past in October, a grandstand for senior IAF officers, dignitaries and other officials is expected to be set up at Namo Ghat. Thousands of spectators are likely to line the ghat steps and the sandy banks on the opposite side of the Ganga across an estimated eight-kilometre stretch to witness the aerial display.Preparations for the event have been underway for several months. Earlier this year, residents noticed increased activity by the IAF’s Central Air Command at Namo Ghat, including the landing of Air Force helicopters and inspections of the expansive platform at Namo Ghat Phase II, which is managed by Varanasi Smart City Limited, to assess its suitability for operational and spectator arrangements.
