IAF pilot chosen for Gaganyaan mission recalled for active duty amid Indo-Pak tensions

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
, one of the four astronaut-designates chosen for the
, has been urgently recalled by the IAF amid rising military tensions with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.
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'I have been called back by the IAF... due to the current situation,' said Group Capt Krishnan while attending the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2025) in Delhi's Yashobhoomi Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Group Capt Krishnan was attending the 3-day international space conference with another astronaut-designate Angad Pratap when he received the information from the IAF to return to active duty.
Krishnan, who had received specialised training for space journey along with Group Capt Pratap, Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Capt Prasanth B Nair in Russia and later at an IAF facility in Bengaluru in preparation for India's first
human spaceflight
mission, is an ace pilot. Commissioned in 2003, Group Captain Krishnan is a flying instructor and test pilot with nearly 2,900 flying hours. His experience spans aircraft like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, and An-32 aircraft.
His expertise in various fighter aircraft showcases his adaptability and proficiency in the air.
During the space event, Krishnan said his training for the Gaganyaan manned mission will likely continue until the programme is launched, slated for lift-off in 2027. Gaganyaan mission aims to send a three-member crew into low Earth orbit for three days before returning them safely to Earth.
Born in Chennai on April 19, 1982, Krishnan is an alumnus of NDA, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and a recipient of President's Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at Air Force Academy.
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He was commissioned into the fighter stream on July 21, 2003, marking the beginning of a distinguished career.
Krishnan and Angad Pratap are currently training in India, while the other two, Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth B Nair, are in the US preparing for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, which is likely to be launched in June.

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