Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja,VrC

Citation of Vir Chakra awarded to Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja reads:

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was the Flight Commander of MIG-21 Squadron inducted into Srinagar as part of “Operation Safed Sagar” in Kargil. On 27 May 1999, he was tasked to lead a two aircraft mission for photoreconnaissance of enemy position in the Batalik Sector. As he was getting airborne he was informed that Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa had ejected from his MiG-27 after an engine “flame out” in the vicinity of Muntho Dhalo. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja immediately realized the necessity of locating and recovering the downed pilot. He changed his mission profile and set course towards Muntho Dhalo. Despite being told that surface-to-air missiles were being fired in the area, Squadron Leader Ahuja carried out orbits to try and pinpoint the location of the crashed aircraft and pilot. He sent his No. 2 back to base but himself continued the search, ignoring the threat to his own life.

By sheer perseverance, he was able to locate the possible crash site and transmitted this information to the rescue helicopters. Unfortunately, at this stage, his own aircraft was hit by “Stinger” surface-to-air missile (SAM). With exemplary presence of mind and cool professionalism he attempted to steer the aircraft towards a safer area. But when the aircraft engine flamed out Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja had no choice but to eject. He ejected safely and had the presence of mind to transmit his last recorded ground position. On 28 May 1999 the body of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was handed over to Indian authorities. The body bore two bullet injuries. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja displayed exceptional courage in going beyond the call of duty while searching for a downed brother officer.

According to the data released by the Indian Air Force, Sqn Ldr Ahuja’s aircraft had been within the Indian side of the Line of Control. A post-mortem examination conducted at the Srinagar Base Hospital claimed that Sqn Ldr Ahuja had landed safely after ejecting from his plane, but had been killed later by Pakistani soldiers.

The post-mortem report of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja spoke of three grievous wounds:

• There was 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 peritoneum.
• Compound fracture of 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 showed that he landed alive and was shot. And his death was called as a cold blooded murder. On 15 June 1999 The 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. The Government of India lodged a protest with Pakistan’s ambassador, accusing the Pakistani paramilitary forces of having fired at Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja while still descending in his parachute. Pakistani authorities denied the accusations and suggested Sqn Ldr Ahuja was killed due to accidental injuries during the ejection or landing. No further investigations were carried out by either government or outside entities and the case remains unresolved.

• On 29 May 1999, Sqn Ldr Ahuja’s body was flown to the local Air Force station from Srinagar by an Indian Air Force plane. He was cremated at a village called Killi Bhisiana, near Bhatinda. The entire village of Killi Bhisiana turned up for his final journey. It was a poignant moment to see his young son Ankur light up the funeral pyre of his father. Rich tributes were paid to Sqn Ldr Ahuja by the Air Force officials and public.
• A statue of Sqn Ldr Ahuja has been installed at a crossing on the Bhatinda-Muktsar road.
• On 15 August 1999, India’s 52nd anniversary of Independence, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was posthumously given the gallantry award , “Vir Chakra”.