N. Uttam Kumar Reddy | PHOTO CREDIT: NAGARA GOPAL
The former Indian Air Force pilot turned politics and now the Minister of irrigation and civil supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said he was ready to return to fight if the country ever needs reserve services.
The combat pilot, who once flew the MiG-23, spoke sincerely about his IAF and mentioned the current tension between India and Pakistan.
On Friday he spoke with reporters in Gandhi Bhavan, Mr. Uttam remembered that he joined the armed forces at the age of 16 and flew MiG-21 until 1982, and later came to control the MiG-23-Tryk so quickly that it could hit the speed more than twice the sound speed.
“I was only 20, he was already a fighting pilot,” he said he refers to his contributions to air stations in Uttar Pradesh, Srinagar and Amritsar – areas that have long been on the outskirts in terms of national security.
The incident of April 22 described as a terrorist attack supported by Pakistan and killed killing, especially those that were carried out in the name of religion. “India had all the reasons to intervene,” he said, referring to a recent military response.
Mr. Uttam also touched the Sindoor operation and claimed that they were deployed from the Indian territory of Rafale Jets and Kamikaze Drones as part of the mission. He argued that such strong reactions were essential if India ever hopes to achieve a permanent solution to the problem of cashmere.
“I personally believe that the conflict of Kashmir will not end until India returns cashmere occupied by Pakistan,” he said without hesitation.
According to Mr. Uttama Kumar Reddy, he left the attack on Jammu, but to respond – and any continuing aggression across the border could spell a disaster for Pakistan. “No other nation will enter with military support,” he said.
And when it comes to war? Mr. Uttama’s report was clear: “If there is a full-scale conflict and I needed to fight again.”
Published – May 9 2025 20:34 IS IS
