MUMBAI: This Air Force Day on 8 October, Republic TV will telecast the documentary “The Air Battle of Srinagar”, about the heroic role played by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the 1971 War.

The channel’s ethos lie in putting the nation above all and celebrating the unity in diversity, which has flourished despite a myriad of issues. The Air Battle of Srinagar depicts the fighting spirit of the Indian Airforce which played a pivotal role in protecting India.

The documentary gives a brief backdrop to how the 1971 war began and how through the pivotal actions of Air Force got Pakistan to surrender in 14 days, in one of the biggest mass surrenders since the Second World War. The focus of the documentary is on the air action that took place in Srinagar. That air field had no radar and no fighter aircraft stationed due to the UN agreement. Each day of this war this air base was subjected to repeated and savage attacks on the scarce protection, but it valiantly fought back and managed to emerge victorious.

The documentary has used 2D and 3D animation and VFX effects brilliantly to portray the scenes of air to air combat and attacks upon air fields. The visual narrative and storytelling is gripping and sets a new benchmark in the genre of combat films/ documentaries in India. The script and commentary is by Maj Gen (Dr) G D Bakshi, a well-known TV commentator. Many celebrated Army and Air force veterans like AVM Jindal (retd), Col Anil Bhat VSM, Col Bhatia and Wg Cdr Prafulla Bakshi have enacted very convincing roles. Wg Cdr Vinod Kumar Neb VrC and Bar, the fighter hero of the 1965 and 1971 wars has given expert comments on the air combat.

'The Air Battle of Srinagar” will air on Republic TV on 7 and 8 October at 3pm.