MEERUT, Sept. 21 -- More than one lakh people watched the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) perform over Meerut during a two-day aerial display that concluded on Sunday. Witnessing the second day of the display, Defence minister of state Sanjay Seth praised the team's discipline, precision, teamwork and professionalism, and noted its three-decade journey and participation in more than 800 air shows in India and abroad. The event marked the first appearance of the nine-member aerobatic team over Meerut. It also had a local connection, with three SKAT members hailing from the city, including two pilots who took part in the aerial formations. Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai, Uttar Pradesh minister of state Somendra Tomar, and MLCs Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj also attended Sunday's display. The team presented its latest formation after completing its 2026 training season, flying nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft. The aircraft are licence-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). During the two-day event, the pilots performed loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the team's signature DNA manoeuvre. Some formations involved aircraft flying less than five metres apar. A major attraction was the coloured smoke released by the aircraft. Smoke pods fitted to the Hawk Mk 132 can produce saffron, white and green smoke, allowing the team to create the colours of the national flag during its manoeuvres. The modification was developed in India at the IAF's Base Repair Depot in Nashik. On the first day, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had praised the precision and courage of the SKAT pilots and referred to the display of the Tricolour in the Meerut skies....