Bareilly: A combat aircraft that was put on display outside Trishul airbase here in Bareilly has been removed on Saturday due to unknown reasons. When contacted, the Indian Air Force (IAF) officials remained tight-lipped on the reason behind the shifting of Sukhoi Su-7, which was kept on display.

Confirming the development, public relation officer of IAF at Trishul airbase, Flight Lieutenant Amrita Kaur, told TOI, “We will shortly inform the central command regarding the latest development and any information would be given to media by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) at central command only.”

It has been learnt that PRO central command Gargi Malik was on leave. Thus, TOI contacted officiating PRO of central command Group Captain BB Pandey, who told us that he is currently posted in Nagpur and thus can’t comment on the development. “Presently, I am posted in Nagpur and the additional charge of central command has been given to me. I will reach Allahabad on Monday and only after that I would be able to comment on the latest development at Trishul airbase regarding the removal of the aircraft.”

Notably, Sukhoi Su-7 was inducted in 1968. India had acquired as many as 140 Sukhoi Su-7 from erstwhile USSR and the supersonic fighter aircraft proved its metal during 1971 Indo-Pak war. The fighter aircraft was used extensively on both Eastern and Western front during the war.