Arjan Singh was a distinguished air warrior, says PM Narendra Modi

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh was known for his excellent leadership and as a distinguished air warrior, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

, 98, passed away earlier today after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was India's oldest serving officer.

When he was made Marshall of the Air Force in 2002, he held the highest rank ever awarded to an officer of the IAF. The equivalent five-star ranks in the Army and the Navy are Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet, respectively.

Arjan Singh was born in 1919 in British India, in what is today Pakistan's Faisalabad. He was 19 when he joined the Air Force, and only 45 when he took over as its chief in 1964.

A year later, he led the force during the second Indo-Pakistan war. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, Singh served as India's Ambassador to Switzerland and The Vatican, the Indian High Commissioner in Kenya, and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

The Panagarh Air Force base in West Bengal was renamed after Arjan Singh last year.

Here's how prominent public figures and common citizens paid tribute to this towering figure of India's military history.

Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war 2/2 #PresidentKovind- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 16, 2017

My thoughts are with his family & those mourning the demise of a distinguished air warrior & fine human, Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh. RIP- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

A great loss for the Nation & the #IndianAirForce : Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh passes away at R&R Army Hospital, New Delhi. Today pic.twitter.com/u6FpQIUg7a- Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 16, 2017

Salutes to #MarshalOfTheAirForce Arjan Singh, veteran guardian of Indian skies left for heavenly abode after winning wars and many hearts. pic.twitter.com/ROo8OZ2XGB- CRPF (@crpfindia) September 16, 2017

Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh ji led the Indian Air Force through his exemplary leadership. His rich contribution to motherland is venerable.- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 16, 2017

The conduct and exemplary nature in which Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh conducted himself will be remembered for generations: Defence Minister pic.twitter.com/ZFONYo82Dx- ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017