DHARAMSHALA: Residents of Patta village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district will soon build a small memorial to squadron leader Meet Kumar who died in the MiG 21 crash here on July 18.

The villagers believe that Kumar chose not to eject from the aircraft before it crashed so that he could veer it away from the village. In the process, he saved the lives of at least 50 people. The memorial will acknowledge the officer’s bravery and sacrifice.

Ramesh Chand, who owns the farm where the aircraft crashed, says he is ready to donate a small piece on land for the memorial which will include Kumar’s bust and a small temple. “We can’t forget the sacrifice of the soldier who saved the lives of our children. I am ready to donate land for the memorial,” he says.

Pradhan of the Patta village, Sanjay Kumar, says that the process to set up the bust will start soon. “We have not sought any help for this noble cause from anyone. But those who want to contribute to it are welcome,” he adds. “All the villagers would be contributing for this.”

The aircraft had crashed into an empty field about 2 km from the residential area of the village. Patta is about 40 km from Pathankot air base in Punjab from where the MiG had taken off. Eyewitnesses had seen the aircraft flying low in a circular fashion, as if the pilot was trying to take it away from the populated area. The crash had created a 15-foot deep pit at the site.

On Monday, army officials had reached the spot and dug the site of the crash for more evidence. They collected the debris of the aircraft.

Immediately after the crash, a promotional video of the Indian Air Force, where Kumar had expressed his adoration for MiG-21s, had gone viral. “When you are flying this aircraft, the MiG-21, you feel none other than god,” he had said in the clip. The bond we share, I and the machine, is very rare.”