Hyderabad residents were taken by surprise on Thursday evening as low-flying aircraft from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) performed manoeuvres over the city’s skies.
The team was on rehearsal flights in preparation for the air show, scheduled to take place near the Hussainsagar on Sunday, according to an official from the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team.
Rehearsals are set to continue on Friday too. If weather conditions are favourable on that day, the team will proceed with their performance exclusively on December 8.
Several locals reported spotting the aircraft as they flew low over Hyderabad’s skies. Sridhar, a Kachiguda resident, shared his experience: “I was working from home when I heard a loud noise around 4 p.m. Looking out my window, I saw two jets flying low, then climbing altitude while performing stunts.”
Aakash, a 23-year-old college student, witnessed the spectacle while he was on the Durgam Cheruvu bridge. “I stopped my vehicle to record the jets, but they disappeared into the sky before I could take out my phone,” he recounted.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, known as the ‘Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force’ was formed in 1996 and operates under the No. 52 Squadron. Based at the Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka, the team consists of 13 pilots, with nine performing during any demonstration. Over the years, they have captivated audiences with their precision aerobatic displays across India and abroad.
Published – December 05, 2024 06:54 pm IST
