From the archive record
A Mirage 2000 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) lands on the Yamuna Expressway near Delhi as part of a drill for emergency landings on national highways. At 6.40 am, the fighter plane, which flew down from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, skimmed the highway and landed very briefly before taking off again. At a distance, local people gaped at the sight. "The aircraft made a practice approach on the highway, coming down to a height of 100 metres before landing off the next approach," said an IAF statement. Before the landing, an IAF helicopter took several rounds in the air. Several air force personnel were at the spot and the area was cordoned off. A makeshift Air Traffic Control was set up. Bird-watchers were also on alert and fire engines and rescue vehicles were on stand-by. Officials