New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS): Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Retd), one of India's leading strategic thinkers, passed away Sunday. He was 78.

He was cremated at the Brar Square in Delhi Cantonment with many senior serving and retired air force, army and naval officers present,

Known as a passionate professional, Jasjit Singh taught flying to many a top air force officer, headed the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses for long and, later, set up the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), a think tank dedicated to modern and futuristic air power trends.

CAPS has done many useful studies on air power strategic issues for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

He wrote or edited an astonishing number of books and contributed in positive to the go-ahead for India's 1998 nuclear explosion, when IDSA was asked by the government about the likely international implications.

He was in a Gurgaon hospital for a week due to a chest problems before he was discharged.

Born July 8, 1934, Jasjit Singh was awarded the Vir Chakra for displaying gallantry in the India-Pakistan war of 1971.

As an IAF squadron leader then, he attacked and destroyed many Pakistani tanks and bunkers. He displayed determination and devotion to duty of a high order, according to the citation for the honour.

In 2006, then president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam conferred Padma Bhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, on him for his contributions in strategic thought.