IAF approves promotion of two Sr. Pilots from J&K as Vice Marshals Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 12: The Indian Air Force has approved the promotion of its two Senior Pilots to the post of Vice Marshal and, quite significantly, both of them belonged to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. They include Air Commodores Hilal Ahmed Rather and Kirti Khajuria, according to authoritative sources. Rather is a native of Bakshiabad area of Anantnag district in Kashmir while Khajuria hailed from Tikri in Udhampur district of Jammu. Both of them are students of Sainik School Nagrota in Jammu. Rather, who is presently posted as India’s Air Attache in France, has played key role in ensuring delivery of Rafale jets to the country. He has an impeccable record of 3000 accident-free flying hours on Mirage-2000, MiG-21 and Kiran aircraft. His name will now forever be associated with delivery of French made Rafale jets in India.