Air Commodore Narinder Chatrath (3959), a recipient of the Vir Chakra, passed away today at 95. He had led the 17 Squadron of the Indian Air Force during the 1971 war. His squadron launched an attack on the Kurmitola airbase near Dhaka, where he engaged in a dogfight with two Pakistan Air Force Sabres, successfully shooting one down.
Commissioned in 1950 as part of the 53rd Pilot Course, Chatrath began his career in the fighter stream. He piloted aircraft such as the Spitfire, Tempest, and Vampire. In 1955, after qualifying as a flying instructor at the Flying Instructors’ School, he was assigned to the academy in Begumpet.
In 1958, he served as the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Chief of Air Staff. From 1959 to 1961, he was honoured with a posting to the Egyptian Air Force as an instructor, a role reserved for the IAF’s top instructors.
Upon his return, Chatrath took command of the 55 Auxiliary Squadron in Barrackpore, flying the Vampire. In 1963, this unit was re-designated as the 221 Squadron, IAF, with Squadron Leader Chatrath becoming its first Commanding Officer. A photograph from his visit to the squadron four decades later captures this moment.
As Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron, flying the Hunter, his squadron supported the 20th Mountain Division from Hashimara. Both CO Chatrath and VK Nebb were awarded the Vir Chakra for downing PAF fighters. Following this, he was promoted to Group Captain and took command of the Halwara Airbase.
After nearly three years at Halwara, he attended the National Defence College course in 1975. Promoted to Air Commodore in 1976, he served as the Air Advisor in London for three years, retiring in 1979 at 52. He was the first from his course to reach the rank of Air Commodore, but age constraints limited his further advancement.
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