BSF plane crash: ‘Why does a soldier’s family cry every time?’

Grieving relatives of the 10 victims killed in the Border Security Force (BSF) aircraft crash confronted Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday with a string of questions including why “old aircraft” were being used and why soldiers’ lives were put at risk. As Singh and the relatives bid adieu to the victims at Safdarjung airport, BSF chief D K Pathak maintained that its crashed Beechcraft Super King was completely “airworthy” and flying “very well” and rejected allegations about any possible defect in the 11-seater plane.

A small 20-year-old BSF plane ferrying the force’s technical personnel to Ranchi crashed in Dwarka area on Tuesday and burst into flames just outside IGI Airport shortly after take-off. An upset daughter of Sub-Inspector Rabinder Kumar, who died in the crash asked Singh and Pathak to “address” issues so that soldiers on the line of duty are not killed in such mishaps.

“Jawab dijiye (give me an answer). Why does the soldier’s family have to cry every time?” she asked. She had to be held back as she aimed a stream of questions at the silent Home Minister, who was seen wiping his eye at one point.

Singh tried his best to console the young woman and assured that their grievances would be looked into as he said he would review each and every aspect that they have underlined.

“My son-in-law told me that the planes in the BSF air wing are getting old and new ones are expected in sometime. I don’t know when will these new aircraft come but surely he will not be there to see them,” said the father-in-law of the co-pilot Rajesh Shivrain. 

The family members of another personnel said they were being told that the BSF fleet is growing old and new acquisition is stuck in “red tape”.

Meanwhile, Pathak said the ill-fated aircraft was 20 years old and in the aviation (domain) an aircraft has life till 40-45 years.