IAF guard of honour at India-Pak war veteran’s funeral in Vadodara

As the family organised the funeral procession and burial rites, IAF personnel reached Saiyed's residence to provide the ceremonial guard of honour. A large number of people from the neighbourhood, too, gathered to pay their last respects to Saiyed.

Ex-corporal dies at Vadodara home, IAF presents guard of honour

Saiyed had served in the IAF during the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars and worked with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited as a sub-divisional engineer following his retirement from the force. (File Photo)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday gave a ceremonial guard of honour to retired CPL (Corporal) Zahiruddin Fakhruddin Saiyed, who died at his residence in Vadodara on Monday after prolonged age-related illness.

Saiyed had served in the IAF during the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars and worked with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited as a sub-divisional engineer following his retirement from the force.

Saiyed resided in Tandalja with his family. As the family organised the funeral procession and burial rites, IAF personnel reached Saiyed’s residence to provide the ceremonial guard of honour. A large number of people from the neighbourhood, too, gathered to pay their last respects to Saiyed.

In a statement on Monday, Saiyed’s family expressed their grief and said, “Our departed Zahiruddin Syed was a proud ex-serviceman of the IAF. He served the country loyally in the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971. His courage, honesty and patriotism are a matter of pride for his family and the entire country.”

Saiyed was also awarded the Paschimi Star medal for his participation in the 1971 war and the Samanvya Seva Medal for his service during the 1965 war. Saiyed also received the Sangram Medal – service medal of the Indian Armed Forces established on January 17, 1973 – to recognise service during the 1971 war as well as the 25th Independence Anniversary Medal in 1972, long service years medal as well as Raksha Medal for participating in the 1965 war.

The family said, “The guard of honour presented by the IAF is an honour and a reflection of his tireless dedication and service to the country. The Late Zahiruddin Syed will always be remembered as a disciplined soldier, a sincere public servant and a mentor to his family.”

Aditi Raja

Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More

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