Operation Safed Sagar, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's Final Words Before Death, 'Something Has Hit...'
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was martyred during Operation Safed Sagar. Before ejecting from his aircraft, Ajay sent his last message over the radio.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleOperation Safed Sagar is currently streaming on Netflix, and people are raving about the series, based on real-life events. The show features Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza and Abhay Verma in pivotal roles. Based on the 1999 Kargil War, Operation Safed Sagar is a tribute to all the bravehearts who fought vicariously and made the sacrifice of their lives for their motherland. One such valiant officer was Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, martyred on May 27, 1999.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's final words after he was captured and killed by Pakistani troops
During May 1999, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was serving with No. 17 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, best known as the ‘Golden Arrows’. During the intense phase of the Kargil War, on May 27, 1999, the Indian Air Force commenced combat missions under Operation Safed Sagar, with the aim of providing support to the Indian Army.
As a part of Operation Safed Sagar, No. 17 Squadron was tasked to carry out a photo reconnaissance of enemy positions in the Batalik Sector. Ajay was asked to lead the critical task. During the task, Ajay received urgent information that Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa, who was flying a MiG-27 on a strike mission, had ejected after suffering an engine flame-out. It was a grave situation as Nachiketa was in enemy territory and it was important to locate the officer.
Without even giving a second thought, Ajay took up the mission to locate Nachiketa despite knowing that it could be life-threatening. Risking his own safety, Ajay scanned the area to locate his fellow officer. He identified the location and passed the information to the authorities, who initiated the rescue operation.
However, while he continued the search, his own aircraft, MiG-21MF, was attacked by the enemy. Ajay knew that he could not go back, but despite the tense moment, he kept calm and gave a message through his radio transmission. His last message before being captured and killed was:
“Hercules, something has hit my plane. The possibility of a missile hit cannot be ruled out. I am ejecting over.”
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was alive despite his aircraft being hit by a missile
Despite knowing that his aircraft was hit, the brave officer steered the aircraft away from populated areas to minimise collateral risk. After the aircraft became uncontrollable, Ajay had no other option but to eject. He also transmitted his last known ground position to the Indian Air Force. When Ajay Ahuja ejected from his aircraft, he was still alive before the Pakistani troops captured and killed him.
When Ajay’s body was handed over to the Indian authorities, a post-mortem was conducted, which revealed two fatal bullet wounds and a fractured knee. The report suggested that Ajay was alive when his aircraft was hit by the missile, but he was tortured by the Pakistani army. His wife Alka told TOI:
“Ajay's MiG-21 fighter was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He had ejected but was captured and tortured by the Pakistan authorities as the postmortem — which was conducted at the Srinagar Base Hospital.”
On May 29, 1999, Ajay’s mortal remains were handed over to his family, and the entire nation mourned the loss of a brave officer. In an attempt to save his fellow pilot, Ajay sacrificed his own life, an act that epitomised the military ethos of “Service Before Self.”
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was posthumously awarded the 'Vir Chakra', one of India’s highest wartime gallantry awards.
Also Read: Meet AR Rahman's Son, AR Ameen, Singer Treated For Injuries And Discharged After A Minor Accident
