Vijay Karnik
Vijay Srinivas Karnik | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 November 1939 |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Air Force |
| Service years | 1962-1986 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | 6 Squadron |
| Conflicts | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Sino-Indian War |
| Spouse | Usha Karnik (m.1965) |
| Children | Paresh Karnik, Shalakaa Karnik |
Vijay Srinivas Karnik is a retired Indian Air Force wing commander who is known for his leadership during Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. During the war, he was in charge of Bhuj airbase. Over the course of the war, the Bhuj airstrip was destroyed in air strikes in which Pakistani bombers dropped napalm bombs. The Bhuj airport attack has been compared to the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor by some. The airfield was raided 35 times in 14 days with attacks by 92 bombs and 22 rockets. Karnik rebuilt Bhuj Airport in three days with the help of 300 local women.