Former Defence Minister and deputy chairman of Planning Commission Krishna Chandra Pant passed away today in New Delhi. He was 81. The Prime Minister and Defence Minister have expressed grief on his death.

In his condolence message, Dr Manmohan Singh described Mr Pant as a leader who served the nation with great distinction. Dr Singh said, in his passing away, the country has lost an eminent public figure and able administrator. Defence Minister AK Antony hailed him for steering the ministry at one of the most critical junctures of history when Indian forces were deployed in strife-torn Sri Lanka on a peacekeeping mission. The Defence minister said Mr Pant was instrumental in setting up of the first Coast Guard Air Station at Daman.