Sandeep Kumar Mitra

Biography

Flying Officer Sandeep Kumar Mitra hailed from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, born on 28 July 1967 to Shri Sunil Kumar Mitra and Smt Labonaya Mitra. He showed exceptional academic brilliance and discipline from an early age, completing his matriculation from Sacred Heart Convent High School, Ahmednagar, where he stood first in the school in the Std X Board examinations, before studying at Ahmednagar College. Driven by a passion for serving the nation, he joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, as part of the 73rd Course (Golf Squadron, 1985-1987), excelling in academics and physical endurance, and graduated on 1 December 1987. He then proceeded to the Air Force Academy at Dundigal for advanced flying training, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 17 December 1988 as part of the 142nd Pilots' Course. Demonstrating aptitude for the transport stream, he was selected to train on the Antonov AN-32, undergoing rigorous conversion at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore. On completing his training he was posted to 19 Squadron at Air Force Station Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, a unit then engaged in support of Operation Pawan for the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. On 15 July 1990, Flying Officer Mitra served as co-pilot aboard an AN-32 (K2705) transport aircraft on a scheduled flight from Tambaram to Thiruvananthapuram, captained by Wing Commander Shapur Erachshaw Baria. During the final approach, the aircraft descended into the Ponmudi mountain range, struck treetops, lost stability, and crashed into a wooded slope some 37 kilometres northeast of the airport. All five crew members were killed. At just 23 years of age, Flying Officer Sandeep Kumar Mitra made the supreme sacrifice; his name is enshrined in the Hut of Remembrance at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, his alma mater.