India, Jan. 25 -- Nearly 2,500 artistes, set to perform at the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade, took part in a full-dress rehearsal of their segment on Saturday. Besides, a rehearsal for the flypast event, a key attraction of the January 26 ceremony, was also held.

A total of 29 aircraft - 16 fighter jets, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI and Jaguar; four transport aircraft, including C-295; and nine helicopters - will be part of the two-phase flypast at the Republic Day parade, with a total of eight formations, a senior Air Force officer had said earlier.

While a dress rehearsal of the ceremonial parade was held a day ago, the flypast and some sections of the cultural performance could not be held due to inclement weather....