Kejriwal salutes IAF on Air Force Day 2026
Synopsis
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on 8 October 2026 saluted Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day, praising the IAF's record of striking terrorists and defending India's sovereignty over more than nine decades.
Key Takeaways
Arvind Kejriwal posted a tribute to the Indian Air Force on 8 October 2026 , the service's founding anniversary.
He praised the IAF for 'striking terrorists in their own homes' and foiling enemy designs — language echoing cross-border counter-terror operations.
The Indian Air Force was established in 1932 and is among the largest air forces in the world.
Kejriwal's message was written in Hindi and closed with 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat' , reflecting broad national sentiment on the occasion.
Tributes to the IAF on Air Force Day represent a rare point of cross-party consensus in Indian political discourse.
On Indian Air Force Day, 8 October 2026, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal paid tribute to the men and women of the Indian Air Force, honouring their courage in defending the nation against terror and enemy threats.
Posting in Hindi on X, Kejriwal wrote: 'भारतीय वायुसेना दिवस पर वायुसेना के वीर जवानों को मेरा सादर नमन' — 'On Indian Air Force Day, I offer my respectful salute to the brave soldiers of the Air Force.' He invoked the IAF's record of striking terrorists in their own strongholds and foiling the 'unholy designs' of enemies, saying the force's 'indomitable valour has always raised the nation's honour and protected Mother India.'
The Indian Air Force marks its founding anniversary on 8 October each year, commemorating the day the service was formally established in 1932. Over more than nine decades, the IAF has grown into one of the largest air forces in the world, playing a decisive role in every major conflict the country has faced and conducting humanitarian operations across the region.
Kejriwal's reference to 'striking terrorists in their own homes' echoes a sentiment that has resonated widely in Indian political discourse following cross-border counter-terror operations in recent years — a point of rare national consensus across party lines. His message closed with the twin salutes 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat' — affirming national pride on a day the country stops to honour its air warriors.
Point of View
The real differentiation lies not in whether to pay tribute, but in the language chosen — and Kejriwal's invocation of cross-border operations is a deliberate, muscular choice.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Indian Air Force Day celebrated?
Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October , marking the founding of the IAF in 1932 .
What did Arvind Kejriwal say on Air Force Day 2026?
Arvind Kejriwal offered a salute to IAF personnel, praising their courage in striking terrorists and defending India's sovereignty, and closed with 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.'
How old is the Indian Air Force in 2026?
The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 , making it 94 years old in 2026.
What does Kejriwal's IAF Day tribute reference in terms of military operations?
Kejriwal referenced the IAF's role in 'striking terrorists in their own homes' — widely understood as an allusion to cross-border counter-terror operations that have featured prominently in Indian political and defence discourse in recent years.
Is IAF Day a public holiday in India?
Indian Air Force Day on 8 October is a commemorative occasion for the armed forces but is not a gazetted public holiday across India.
