Dinesh Kumar Shukla was the CSM of Alpha Squadron. A tough squadron by any standard to have made it to this coveted appointment.

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Dinesh Kumar Shukla was the CSM of Alpha Squadron. A formidable squadron by any standard to have made it to this coveted appointment. With bright and highly competent course mates, it was heartening to see Air Force cadets, SN Naidu, as the SCC & DK Shukla as the CSM. Shukla was a proud KV product, came from a humble background, had a charming smile and a ‘never say die’ attitude to life. His father was from the Indian Air Force, and he always worked hard to ensure that he was one up or at least on par with the best of 56 Apaches. Indeed, he had established himself as a go-getter!

Shukla’s passion for making a successful career in the Indian Air Force, to be amongst the leaders of the pack, and his perseverance was the hallmark which made him stand apart. DK was an exceptional natural flier and did very well in the Air Force right out of our Commissioning date. The infamous course party at the Hakimpet Mess remains one of the hop topics of conversation whenever we go down the memory lane. Even Shukla had a blast that happy evening- He was seen leading the pack into action both on and off the dance floor. 

After the Hakimpet stage, when moved to OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) training in the Hunter aircraft, Shukla maintained his charm and sailed through with flying colours. He was amongst three- AK Singh Charlie, EVLLP Babu Golf & DK Shukla Alpha - specially chosen to fly Canberra - a twin-engine Bomber - those days it was the IAF’s mainstay for offensive roles!

Going down the memory lane, Shukla’s Canberra mate AK Singh writes - "Shuks and I were bunched together since Hakimpet. He joined 16 squadron in Gorakhpur 6 months ahead of EP Babu, and me after Kalaikunda. It was Sunday in January- quite foggy and cold when I reached the Gorakhpur Officer's Mess pretty early in the morning. Shuks was his usual self- his beaming and open smile made him look handsome. It was a very special day for him as he was taking his girlfriend out on a date. How that date later turned out was another, different story. He was a vivacious person, and I am not aware of anyone, including amongst the ladies, who wasn't fond of him at the air force station. He was the life of all station parties and was known as John Travolta for his dancing moves. Tina Charles was one of his favourite singers. We were roommates until I got married and moved out. He got married soon after and was my next-door neighbour for about six months. Shuks moved to 35 squadron, and I to 106 squadron along with Babu. Shuks and I did the 49th staff course together and were together again in Agra when he got posted to 106 squadron, and me to NCC. 

They say opposites attract. Shuks was a flamboyant, very debonair and casual guy with a shiny new Yezdi. He had the trappings of a seasoned actor, and switched between debonair, professional, serious and intense, to sophisticated all in one evening, especially if the opposite sex was around. He was a very large-hearted guy, and some of the salad days were spent in the company of AK and Shuks. Though others joined the squadron, the three of us set the tone for the social scene. As expected, us three rowdies use to bounce married folks, it was an expectation that he would be bounced too. But every time, the same situation unfolded. Shuks used to get us drunk, and we didn't even notice what the lady painstakingly made, in the wee hours. Next bounce, she was still the patron saint of bachelors."

He did the 86th All Purpose Flying Instructors Course (APFIC ) at Tambaram from Jun to Dec 1988 after a successful run as a Canberra squadron pilot. After graduating as an instructor, he moved to the Air Force Academy. Later he was posted as Flt Cdr at 106 SR squadron at Agra & was slated to take over as the next Commanding Officer. Shukla was detailed to be an umpire in one of the IAF's CAC air exercises and was to go to Allahabad for the same. He had just finished a Canberra flight and was preparing for the temporary duty at Allahabad. He got a message that there was an AN-32 flying out to Delhi and after that from Delhi it was planned to go to Allahabad. DK had to pay an instalment for his AFNHB flat in Delhi. So, he decided to hitch a ride to Delhi and do the payment bit too.

Sadly, it turned out to be the last flight for DK along with the rest of the Crew and personnel on board the ill-fated AN-32. It was a morning time easterly approach by the AN-32 for the Palam Runway. The pilot seemed to have picked up the shining surface of the Najafgarh Canal, in the same orientation of the runway. This was well short of the actual runway. The aircraft did not make to the runway and crashed, leaving all occupants dead. Ever-smiling, DK of ours was wasted. 

Shukla is survived by wife Madhu and two boys Sanchit and Rachit. His wife was a demure, soft-spoken individual. Typically, and with great fortitude raised two successful sons. The elder son is married and working abroad in an MNC, while the younger son is in Jabalpur with his mother.

Penned with inputs from AK Singh, Parmesh Babu, Rajiv Battish and Shashank Naidu.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏