Ajay Ahuja

Ajay 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.

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.

On 27 May 1999, as part of Operation Safed Sagar during Kargil War, Sqn Ldr Ahuja was undertaking a photo reconnaissance mission. Another member of the mission, Flt Lt Nachiketa ejected from his MiG-27L after an engine flame out.[5] Sqn Ldr 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,[5] 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.

According 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 to maintain status quo in Kashmir. It is claimed by the Indian Air force that he was killed by Pakistani Soldiers after landing safely 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. [5][6][4] Sqn Leader Ahuja's body would be recovered by the men of the 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles.[7]

On 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]

On 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.[8] The Government of India also lodged a protest with Pakistan's High Commissioner, accusing the Pakistani paramilitary forces of having fired at Ajay 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. No further investigations were carried out by either government nor impartial, outside entities and the case remains unresolved.

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), National War Memorial, India.

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 posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India's highest gallantry honours for military personnel.[9]

• Kargil War
• Military of India

Notes