In a major demonstration of tactical air power and preparedness, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted a night-time combat drill on the newly developed expressway airstrip at Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district on Friday. The exercise, which took place between 7 PM and 10 PM, marked a historic moment for the region and the nation’s defence infrastructure.
The drill featured precision operations by some of IAF’s most advanced fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and M-32 jets. These aircraft executed coordinated take-offs, tactical manoeuvres, and mock touch-and-go landings, simulating real-time battlefield scenarios in the cover of darkness.
“Multiple fighter jets carried out successful sorties as part of a night operational exercise. Despite strong winds and adverse weather conditions earlier in the day, the operation was executed smoothly at night,” said Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi. He also confirmed that over 250 CCTV cameras had been installed around the 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip for heightened surveillance and safety.
An unexpected highlight of the drill involved jets landing with the assistance of ropes dropped from helicopters, followed by ground tactical deployments. Though initially planned as a two-day exercise, the IAF completed the entire operation in a single night — showcasing exceptional coordination and readiness.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Arvind Kumar described the event as a “historical moment” for Shahjahanpur. “Fighter jets made contact with the airstrip near the VIP camp and then took off again. Over 1,000 sanitation workers and staff from the Panchayati Raj Department were stationed along a 40-kilometre stretch to prevent any animals or obstructions from interfering with the exercise,” he added.
The drill led to a temporary halt of traffic on the Bareilly–Etawah route for nearly three hours. Despite the disruption, the local population enthusiastically gathered in nearby fields to witness the awe-inspiring sight of fighter jets soaring and landing in the night sky.
This expressway airstrip — part of the ambitious 594-kilometre Ganga Expressway project connecting Meerut to Prayagraj — was recently inspected by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. While the ₹36,230 crore expressway is currently behind schedule, the successful IAF drill has demonstrated its potential as a strategic asset for national security.
Sources By Agencies