“Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows it, It flies with the last breath of every Soldier who died defending it.”
कारगिल युद्ध में मातृभूमि की रक्षा के खातिर प्राण न्यौछावर करने वाले जवानों की अमर शहादत को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
इस विहंगम और भीषण घमासान ने वीरता की अनेकों दास्तानें दी। 26 जुलाई, 1999 को अंततः भारतीय सेना ने कारगिल युद्ध में विजय प्राप्त कर तिरंगे और भारत देश का मान बढ़ाया।
यह जीत सदियों तक "कारगिल विजय" दिवस के रूप में मनाई जाती रहेगी और वीरों के बलिदान की अमर गाथाएं विश्व-पटल पर अमरत्व के शिलालेख पर उत्कीर्ण रहेगी।
उसी श्रृंखला में आज एक और वीर गाथा….Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja
‘Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja’, was born in Kota, Rajasthan. He graduated from the NDA and was commissioned a fighter pilot on 14 June 1985 in the IAF. As a fighter pilot he had flown several varients of Mig 21 & Mig 23 aircrafts. Except of these he had gathered over 1000 hours as a fighter instructor in the IAF. He served the IAF for 14 years before he gave his ultimate sacrifice in the battlefield.
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 of 1999.
ROLE IN KARGIL:
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, (then)Flt Lt Nachiketa ejected from his MiG-27 after an engine flame out. 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. This was regarded as an act of great bravery in treacherous conditions.
However, his MiG-21 fighter was hit by a shoulder-fired FIM-92 Stinger. Ahuja gave a radio call – “Hercules, I suspect a missile hit”. IAF authorities lost track of his aircraft and all communication shortly afterwards.
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE:
After he ejected he landed safely and was alive,but he found himself in an area then controlled by the pak army.
According to (then) pak airforce official Air Cmde Kaiser Tufail he was taken as a PoW and later shot in his head by pak army. But the cowards from the other side of the border never had the guts to accept that they shot a PoW who was tied. The pak government says that he died in the crash but according to a post-mortem examination conducted by Indian military authorities said that Ahuja had landed safely after ejecting from his plane, but had been killed by soldiers. The report revealed that Ahuja had been shot twice through the ear and chest.
On August 15th, 1999, India’s 52nd anniversary of Indepenedence, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, one of India’s highest gallantry honors for military personnel.
We need more men with hero’s hearts, and less boys with “swag” popular in today’s youth… Very unfortunate!
The spirit of Squadron leader Ajay Ahuja continues to inspire our men and women to keep the Tiranga at the highest peaks.
Thank you Air Warrior for your duty!
We all are indebted to your Supreme Sacrifice
RESPECT AND SALUTE!
Remembrance
Indian Air Force
#kargil #SeemaSanghosh
#JaiHind #kargilVijayDiwas
ADGPI – Indian Army
जय हिंद।
जय हिंद की सेना!
जय भारत!
Sqn Ldr Rakhi Agarwal
