New Delhi, September 25: One of the main planners of the Balakot aerial strikes on Pakistan in February this year, Group Captain YS Negi managed to eject safely from his MiG-21 fighter aircraft which crashed in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday.

Negi was the main pilot in the Type-69 MiG-21 Trainer Aircraft when it crashed in Gwalior soon after taking off from the Maharajpur airbase there, IAF sources told ANI. The officer's stellar role in planning and executing the Balakot strikes on February 26 on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp was also recognised by the government as he was awarded the Yudh Sewa Medal for it.At the time of the aerial strikes, he was posted at the Western Air Command in New Delhi. Balakot Air Strikes by IAF on JeM Terror Camps Lasted ‘90 Seconds’, Pilots Say Families Had No Clue About Operation.

Negi has also commanded the 51 Squadron earlier. Wing Commander Abhinandan was also part of this Squadron on February 27 when he flew valiantly and shot down a Pakistani F-16 in aerial combat while thwarting an attack from the Pakistan Air Force.