Squadron leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (22 May 1963 – 27 May 1999) was a fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force who was killed in action during the Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1999. His MiG-21 was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by the Pakistan Army near the town of Kargil in the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Ahuja ejected from the aircraft and parachuted to the ground. According to Indian claims, he was alive upon his landing before he was captured and subsequently killed by Pakistan troops, though, rejected by Pakistan. A post-mortem report conducted on Ahuja's body after it was recovered and returned to India showed that he had a fractured knee alongside two fatal bullet wounds to his head and chest.[3][4] Reports by the Indian media of Ahuja's capture and killing by Pakistani troops during the conflict sparked a major uproar within India.[citation needed]
Ajay Ahuja | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Aj |
| Born | 22 May 1963 Kota, Rajasthan, India |
| Died | 27 May 1999 (aged 36) Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir (now Ladakh) |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985–1999 |
| Rank |  Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) |
| Awards |  Vir Chakra |
| Spouse(s) | Alka Ahuja[1] |
| Children | 1[2] |
Early life and military career
editAjay Ahuja was born on 22 May 1963 in Kota, Rajasthan, India. He attended Saint Paul's Senior Secondary School, a renowned missionary school for boys. He graduated from the Indian National Defence Academy and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 14 June 1985. Ahuja was promoted to the rank of squadron leader on 14 June 1996.[5]
As a fighter pilot, he toured on MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighter aircraft, and gained instructional flying experience of over 1,000 hours that was spent teaching ab-initio pilots. In 1997, Ahuja was posted to the Killi Bhisiana Airbase in Bhatinda, Punjab.[4] Shortly after his assignment to the role of flight commander with the No. 17 Squadron, the Kargil War had broken out between India and Pakistan in 1999.
Kargil War and shoot-down by Pakistani forces
editOn 27 May 1999, as part of Operation Safed Sagar during Kargil War, Squadron leader Ahuja was undertaking a photo reconnaissance mission. Another member of the mission, Flight lieutenant Nachiketa ejected from his MiG-27L after an engine flame out.[6] Squadron leader Ahuja stayed over enemy positions to help the rescue attempts knowing full well the existence of enemy surface-to-air missiles in the area. However, his MiG-21MF fighter, C-1539,[6] was hit by a shoulder-fired FIM-92 Stinger. Ahuja gave a radio call – "Hercules, something has hit my plane, possibility of missile hit cannot be ruled out, I am ejecting over...(location).". IAF authorities lost track of his aircraft and all communication shortly afterward.
Circumstances of death
editAccording to the data released by the Indian Air Force, Ahuja's aircraft had crossed the Line of Control, a ceasefire line and pseudo-border agreed upon by India and Pakistan in 1972 in Kashmir. It is claimed by the Indian Air force that he was killed by Pakistani Soldiers after landing as his post-mortem report says that he had two fatal bullet injuries and fractured knee which was caused when he landed after ejection (shows that he was alive when landed). However, these claims were strictly rejected by Pakistan. [6][7][4] Squadron leader Ahuja's body would be recovered by the men of the 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles.[8]
Return and cremation
editOn 29 May 1999, Ahuja's body was flown to a local Air Force station by the Indian Air Force. Angry public demonstrations broke out there, at his cremation, and near the Pakistani embassy in Delhi.[3]
Reaction and aftermath
editOn 15 June 1999, Deputy High Commissioner of the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi was summoned and a notice for the breach of Geneva conventions was submitted for the torture and killing of the prisoners of War during the Kargil War.[9] The Government of India also lodged a protest with Pakistan's High Commissioner, accusing the Pakistani paramilitary forces of having fired at Ahuja while still descending in his parachute. Pakistani authorities denied the accusations and suggested Ahuja was killed due to accidental injuries during the ejection or landing.[citation needed] No further investigations were carried out by either government nor impartial, outside entities and the case remains unresolved.[citation needed]
Commemoration
edit
Ahuja remains a great hero for Indians, and his widow and family are often honored guests at patriotic public events and official ceremonies. The family received much support from Government authorities and Indian political leaders, as well as emotional and financial support from people across India. A statue of Ahuja was constructed by the Bhatinda-Muktsar road.[3]
On 15 August 1999, India's 52nd anniversary of Independence, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was awarded the Vir Chakra shortly after his death which is one of India's highest gallantry honours for military personnel.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- Notes
- ^ "The Tribune - Windows - Featured story".
- ^ "The Tribune - Windows - Featured story".
- ^ a b c Tribune News Service (30 May 1999). "Ahuja was shot at point-blank range: report". The Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Even after 8 years, Kargil continues to haunt". CNN-IBN. 30 July 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ "Service Record for Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja 17864 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Air Forces Monthly (136). Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Limited: 74–75. July 1999. ISSN 0955-7091.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link) - ^ "The family is both proud of Nachiketa and concerned about his well-being". Rediff News. 30 May 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Fifty Day War : Episode 2. YouTube.
- ^ "Breach of Geneva Convention by Pak armed forces" (PDF). Foreign Affairs Record 1999. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ "SQUADRON LEADER AJAY AHUJA | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 24 June 2020.