Ajay Ahuja
| Sqn. Ldr. Ajay Ahuja | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 22, 1963 Kota, Rajasthan |
| Died | May 27, 1999 |
| Allegiance | Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985-1999 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | Golden Arrows- Squadron No.17 |
| Awards | Vir Chakra |
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was a fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force who was tortured and killed by the Pakistani forces in the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir.[1][2] His death was the cause of the most angry public conflagration between India and Pakistan at the time.
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[edit] Early life and career
Ajay Ahuja was born in Kota, Rajasthan. He did his schooling from Saint Paul's Senior Secondary School, Mala Road Kota, a renowned missionary school for boys. He graduated from the National Defence Academy (India) and was commissioned a fighter pilot on June 14, 1985 in the IAF.
As a fighter pilot he toured on the MiG-23 fighter-bomber and MiG-21 variants, as well as instructional flying experience of over 1,000 hours spent teaching ab-initio pilots. Squadron Leader Ahuja was posted to the Killi Bhisiana Airbase at Bhatinda, Punjab, India in 1997.[2] He had only just become the Flight Commander of Squadron No.17 Golden Arrows (a specialist photo-reconnaissance squadron), when the Kargil War broke out in May–June 1999.
[edit] War Operations
On May 27, 1999, as part of Operation Safed Sagar in Kargil, a photo reconnaissance mission was launched over the Indian side of the line of control in Kashmir. A member of the mission, Flt Lt Nachiketa ejected from his MiG-27L after an engine flame out.[3] 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,[3] 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.
[edit] Circumstances of death
According to the data released by the IAF, Ahuja's aircraft had been within the Indian side of the Line of Control, a ceasefire line and pseudo-border agreed upon by India and Pakistan in the early 1970s to maintain status quo in Kashmir. A post-mortem examination conducted at the Srinagar Base Hospital claimed that Ahuja had landed safely after ejecting from his plane, but had been killed later by Pakistani soldiers.[3][4][2]
The post-mortem report of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja spoke of three grievous wounds:[4][1]
- There is a penetrating gunshot wound; entry near right ear, exit near the external orifice of left ear.
- Gunshot wound: entry 2 cm medial to right nipple, exit near left iliac crest damaging internal viscera like liver, intestine and peritonium.
- Compound comminuted fracture left knee.
- Suffered multiple punctured wounds over left and right thighs, rupture of right lung, injury to neck vessels, small intestine and left liver.
It was reported that the left knee fracture was sustained when he parachuted down, but the gunshots show that he landed alive and was shot. And his death was called as a cold blooded murder.[5][4]
The Government of India lodged a protest with Pakistan's ambassador, 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.[citation needed] No further investigations were carried out by either government nor impartial, outside entities and the case remains unresolved.[citation needed]
[edit] Return and cremation
On May 29, 1999, Sqn Ldr Ahuja's body was flown in from Srinagar by an IAF plane. The body in a wooden coffin was brought to the local Air Force station from Srinagar by an Indian Air Force plane. Air Vice-Marshal A. Sen, AVSM, accompanied the body which was received by local Station Commander Rakesh Kakker, and Ahuja's family members: Mr Parshotam Lal Ahuja, Mr Vijay Ahuja and Mr Sudhir Sachdeva. The body was taken to the MI Room where Ahuja’s widow, Alka Ahuja, received it.[1]
Indian politicians were also present at the ceremony, as were hundreds of local people, as well as political activists. Angry public demonstrations broke out there, at Ahuja's cremation, which was particularly emotional for Ahuja's family, friends and the gathered public, and near the Pakistani embassy in Delhi.[1]
[edit] Commemoration
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 installed at the nearby crossing on the Bhatinda-Muktsar road.[1]
On August 15, 1999, India's 52nd anniversary of Independence, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India's highest gallantry honors for military personnel.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e Tribune News Service (May 30 1999). "Ahuja was shot at point-blank range: report". the Tribune. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99may31/head1.htm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Even after 8 years, Kargil continues to haunt". CNN-IBN. Jul 30, 2007. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/even-after-8-years-kagil-continues-to-haunt/45836-3.html. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ a b c Air Forces Monthly (Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Limited) (136): Pages 74–75. July 1999. ISSN 0955-7091.
- ^ a b c "'The family is both proud of Nachiketa and concerned about his well-being'". Rediff News. May 30, 1999. http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/may/30kash7.htm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "Kargil conflict timeline". BBC news. May 30, 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/387702.stm. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
[edit] External links
- http://www.geocities.com/siafdu/ahuja.html (Archived 2009-10-24)
