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{{EngvarB|date=September | {{Short description|Indian fighter pilot killed during the Kargil War}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September | {{Tone|date=August 2021}} | ||
{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} | |||
{{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
|honorific_prefix | | honorific_prefix = [[Squadron Leader]] | ||
|name | | name = Ajay Ahuja | ||
|honorific_suffix | | honorific_suffix = [[Vir Chakra|VrC]] | ||
|native_name | | native_name = | ||
|native_name_lang | | native_name_lang = | ||
|image = | | image = | ||
|image_size = | | image_size = | ||
|alt = | | alt = | ||
|caption = | | caption = | ||
|birth_date ={{Birth date|df=yes|1963|05|22}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1963|05|22}} | ||
|death_date ={{Death date and age|df=yes|1999|05|27|1963|05|22}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1999|05|27|1963|05|22}} | ||
|birth_place =[[Kota, Rajasthan]] | | birth_place = [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]], [[Rajasthan]], India | ||
|death_place =[[Kargil]], Jammu and Kashmir | | death_place = [[Kargil]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] (now [[Ladakh]]) | ||
|placeofburial = | | placeofburial = | ||
|placeofburial_label = | | placeofburial_label = | ||
|placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | | placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | ||
|nickname = | | nickname = Aj | ||
|birth_name = | | birth_name = | ||
|allegiance ={{flag|India | | allegiance = {{flag|India}} | ||
|branch ={{air force|India | | branch = {{air force|India}} | ||
|serviceyears =1985–1999 | | serviceyears = 1985–1999 | ||
|rank =[[File:Squadron Leader of IAF.png| | | rank = [[File:Squadron Leader of IAF.png|15px]] [[Air Force ranks and insignia of India|Squadron Leader]] | ||
|servicenumber = | | servicenumber = | ||
|unit =''Golden Arrows'' | | unit = [[No. 17 Squadron IAF|No. 17 Squadron]] (''Golden Arrows'') | ||
|commands = | | commands = | ||
|battles = | | battles = | ||
|battles_label = | | battles_label = | ||
|awards = | | awards = {{flagicon image|Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|20px}} [[Vir Chakra]] | ||
|spouse = Alka Ahuja <ref>https://m.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000610/windows/main4.htm</ref> | | spouse = Alka Ahuja<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000610/windows/main4.htm|title = The Tribune - Windows - Featured story}}</ref> | ||
|children = | | children = 1<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000610/windows/main4.htm|title = The Tribune - Windows - Featured story}}</ref> | ||
|relations = | | relations = | ||
|laterwork = | | laterwork = | ||
|signature = | | signature = | ||
|website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Squadron | [[Squadron leader|Sqn Ldr]] '''Ajay Ahuja''' {{Small|[[Vir Chakra|VrC]]}} ({{Birth date|1963|5|22|df=y}} – {{Death date|1999|5|27|df=y}}) was a [[fighter pilot]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] who was killed during the [[Kargil War]] between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in 1999. His [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|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 (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. Ajay Ahuja ejected from the aircraft and parachuted to the ground. According to Indian claims, Ahuja was alive upon his landing before he was captured and subsequently killed by Pakistani troops; these claims have been 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 [[Knee#Fractures|fractured knee]] alongside two fatal bullet wounds to his head and chest.<ref name="tribuneAhuja">{{cite news|last=Tribune News Service|title=Ahuja was shot at point-blank range: report|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99may31/head1.htm|accessdate=7 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|date=30 May 1999}}</ref><ref name=CNNIBNahuja>{{cite news|title=Even after 8 years, Kargil continues to haunt|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/even-after-8-years-kagil-continues-to-haunt/45836-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121013405/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/even-after-8-years-kagil-continues-to-haunt/45836-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2013|accessdate=8 January 2012|newspaper=CNN-IBN|date=30 July 2022}}</ref> Reports by the [[Media of India|Indian media]] of Ahuja's capture and killing by Pakistani troops during the conflict sparked a major uproar within India.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} | ||
== Early life and career == | == Early life and military career == | ||
Ajay Ahuja was born in [[Kota, Rajasthan|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)|National | Ajay Ahuja was born on 22 May 1963 in [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]. 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)|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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} | ||
As a fighter pilot he toured on the [[MiG- | As a fighter pilot, he toured on the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] and the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]] fighter aircraft, and gained instructional flying experience of over 1,000 hours that was spent teaching [[Ab initio|''ab-initio'']] pilots. In 1997, Ahuja was posted to the [[Killi Bhisiana Airbase]] in [[Bathinda|Bhatinda]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name=CNNIBNahuja/> Shortly after his assignment to the role of [[flight commander]] with the [[No. 17 Squadron IAF|No. 17 Squadron]], the [[Kargil War]] had broken out between India and [[Pakistan]] in 1999. | ||
== War | == Kargil War and shoot-down by Pakistani forces == | ||
On 27 May 1999, as part of ''Operation Safed Sagar'' | 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-27]]L after an engine [[flame out]].<ref name="AFM">{{cite journal|title=none|date=July 1999|journal=[[Air Forces Monthly]]|publisher=Key Publishing Limited|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK|issue= 136|pages=74–75|issn=0955-7091}}</ref> Sqn Ldr Ahuja stayed over enemy positions to help the rescue attempts knowing full well the existence of enemy [[surface-to-air missile]]s in the area. However, his [[MiG-21]]MF fighter, C-1539,<ref name="AFM"/> 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 == | == Circumstances of death == | ||
According to the data released by the Indian Air Force, Ahuja's aircraft had | 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 the early 1970s to maintain status quo in Kashmir. It is claimed by Indian Air force that he was killed by Pakistani Soldiers after landed 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), but these claims were strictly rejected by Pakistan. <ref name="AFM"/><ref name=rediffNachiketa>{{cite news|title=The family is both proud of Nachiketa and concerned about his well-being|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/may/30kash7.htm|accessdate=7 January 2012|newspaper=Rediff News|date=30 May 1999}}</ref><ref name=CNNIBNahuja/> Sqn Ldr Ahuja's body would be recovered by the men of the 10th Battalion of the [[Garhwal Rifles]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/15O-qyitKUw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210318111526/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15O-qyitKUw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15O-qyitKUw| title = Fifty Day War : Episode 2 | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
== Reaction and aftermath == | == Reaction and aftermath == | ||
On 15 June 1999 | 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.<ref name=ministry_record99>{{cite web|title=Breach of Geneva Convention by Pak armed forces|url=http://mealib.nic.in/far/1999.pdf|work=Foreign Affairs Record 1999|publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|accessdate=29 March 2022}}</ref> 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.{{Cn|date=January 2022}} No further investigations were carried out by either government nor impartial, outside entities and the case remains unresolved.{{Cn|date=January 2022}} | ||
== Return and cremation == | == Return and cremation == | ||
On 29 May 1999, Ahuja's body was flown to | 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]].<ref name="tribuneAhuja"/> | ||
== Commemoration == | == Commemoration == | ||
[[File:National War Memorial, Tyag Chakra, Circle of Sacrifice, Ajay Ahuja.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], India.]] | [[File:National War Memorial, Tyag Chakra, Circle of Sacrifice, Ajay Ahuja.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], India.]] | ||
Ahuja remains a great hero for Indians, and his widow and family are often honoured 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 | Ahuja remains a great hero for Indians, and his widow and family are often honoured 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.<ref name="tribuneAhuja"/> | ||
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SQUADRON LEADER AJAY AHUJA {{!}} Gallantry Awards|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/squadron-leader-ajay-ahuja|access-date=2020-06-24|website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref> | 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SQUADRON LEADER AJAY AHUJA {{!}} Gallantry Awards|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/squadron-leader-ajay-ahuja|access-date=2020-06-24|website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:39, 17 November 2022
 |
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] |
Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja VrC (22 May 1963 – 27 May 1999) was a fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force who was killed 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. Ajay Ahuja ejected from the aircraft and parachuted to the ground. According to Indian claims, Ahuja was alive upon his landing before he was captured and subsequently killed by Pakistani troops; these claims have been 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]
Early life and military career
Ajay Ahuja was born on 22 May 1963 in Kota, Rajasthan, India. He did his schooling from Saint Paul's Senior Secondary School, Mala Road Kota, 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.[citation needed]
As a fighter pilot, he toured on the MiG-21 and the 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
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.
Circumstances of death
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 the early 1970s to maintain status quo in Kashmir. It is claimed by Indian Air force that he was killed by Pakistani Soldiers after landed 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), but these claims were strictly rejected by Pakistan. [5][6][4] Sqn Ldr Ahuja's body would be recovered by the men of the 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles.[7]
Reaction and aftermath
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.[citation needed] No further investigations were carried out by either government nor impartial, outside entities and the case remains unresolved.[citation needed]
Return and cremation
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]
Commemoration
Ahuja remains a great hero for Indians, and his widow and family are often honoured 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]
See also
References
- Notes
- ↑ "The Tribune - Windows - Featured story".
- ↑ "The Tribune - Windows - Featured story".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Tribune News Service (30 May 1999). "Ahuja was shot at point-blank range: report". The Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Even after 8 years, Kargil continues to haunt". CNN-IBN. 30 July 2022. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 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 2022.
- ↑ "SQUADRON LEADER AJAY AHUJA | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 24 June 2020.