India, May 14 -- Jeevachhlal Yadav, 85, father of Air Marshal AK Bharti, director general air operations (DGAO), is a proud man after his son played a critical role in planning and executing the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operations against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

"People are either calling up or dropping by to congratulate us. We are happy beyond words and on cloud nine for what my son has done for the country," Yadav told HT.

The octogenarian was unaware of his son's heroics until his neighbours asked him to watch the officer's press briefing last Sunday evening. Yadav still regrets missing the first few minutes of the press conference and continues to stay glued to the news channels, hoping to see his son again.

"He did not...