Ahuja was killed on Could 27, 1999, after selecting to remain behind to find fellow pilot Flight Lieutenant Okay. Nachiketa, who had been compelled to eject from his MiG-27 throughout a mission over the Batalik sector. Ahuja’s MiG-21 was later hit by a surface-to-air missile. He ejected however landed throughout the Line of Management and was captured. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
In previous interviews, Ajay Ahuja’s spouse Alka Ahuja recalled the person behind the struggle hero — how his dedication to the Air Power formed their marriage, how he ready her for the dangers of his occupation and the occasions surrounding his ultimate mission.
‘Air Power is my first spouse’
Ajay and Alka have been married for 10 years earlier than his demise. Quickly after their marriage, Ajay advised Alka that she was his “second spouse.” She was initially shocked till he defined that his first spouse was the Indian Air Power.
“To my utter shock then Flight Lieutenant Ajay Ahuja advised me that I used to be his second spouse instantly upon my marriage. However when he defined that his first spouse is none aside from the Indian Air Power, I felt proud and located in him not solely a loving husband however an individual who had immense love for the motherland,” she advised Instances of India in an previous interview.
Over time, Alka noticed how deeply Ajay was dedicated to flying and his work. His schedule might contain evening flying, lengthy hours and postings away from residence. However each time he was along with his household, he made the more often than not.
“Precedence was at all times Air Power, and the nation, and subsequent was household,” she mentioned in an one other interview.
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Ajay Ahuja knew the dangers and ready his spouse for it
Ajay Ahuja’s dedication to the Air Power additionally formed the best way he ready Alka for his or her life collectively. He understood that his occupation was dangerous and didn’t need his spouse to turn into utterly depending on him.
“I used to be quite simple earlier than marriage. Quite simple. However Ajay needed to make me robust,” Alka recalled.
She mentioned Ajay knew how harmful their life might be and inspired her to review and work independently. He inspired her to finish her B.Sc. and B.Ed. and supported her in taking on instructing work. Dwelling at Air Power stations typically meant being away from prolonged household, and Ajay needed her to be assured about dealing with tasks on her personal.
“He needed to make me robust,” Alka mentioned.
After his demise, that independence turned important. Alka needed to increase their five-year-old son, handle his schooling and rebuild her personal profession with out Ajay.
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ALSO READ: All about BS Dhanoa: The real-life IAF officer played by Jimmy Shergill in Operation Safed Sagar
‘I assumed that they’ll come again by twenty second Could’
Ajay Ahuja left for Srinagar on Could 18, 1999. His birthday was 4 days later, and Alka anticipated him to return.
“I assumed that they might go for a number of days,” she mentioned, including, “So I assumed that they might come again by twenty second Could.”
Ajay known as her on his birthday and advised her that he wouldn’t be returning instantly. He requested Alka and their five-year-old son, Ankur, to return to Srinagar. The kid was enthusiastic about seeing his father, whom he known as “Dada.”
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“My son was very blissful and excited that we’re going to Dada,” Alka recalled.
However the household by no means made the journey. Civilian flights to Srinagar have been cancelled from Could 23, although Alka didn’t initially perceive why.
“It felt somewhat odd that the flights have been cancelled. However even then it didn’t come to my thoughts as a result of we have been by no means advised that there’s such a factor.”
On Could 26, airstrikes started.
The next day, at round 4.30 pm, the station commander arrived at Alka’s residence in uniform. Ajay had beforehand advised her that an officer arriving at their residence in uniform meant there was an issue.
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“Ajay had advised me that if every part is ok, then nobody will come to the home in uniform,” she recalled.
She was advised that Ajay had ejected from his plane and was lacking.
At first, Alka tried to stay hopeful. She knew solely that Ajay had ejected and didn’t know the place he had landed. However the hours handed.
“It was getting darkish, so I began getting tensed that it was a hill space. Now how will they take Ajay out?” she mentioned.
Round 7.30 pm, she learnt that two pilots had ejected.
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“One has survived and one isn’t any extra,” she recalled being advised.
By round 8.30 pm, she was advised that the officer who had died was Ajay. “After this incident, my life completely modified.”
Why Ajay Ahuja went again for Nachiketa
Ajay Ahuja had stayed behind to find Okay. Nachiketa and information the rescue effort regardless of the hazard from enemy missiles. For Alka, his choice was completely constant along with his persona.
“Ajay’s nature was such, he would by no means, step again to assist anybody. And I do know, when Ajay came upon that Nachiketa wants my assist, he wouldn’t step again. His nature was to at all times assist others.”
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She later learnt extra about what occurred in the course of the mission. Ahuja had situated the plane and was guiding the rescue helicopter when his personal plane was hit.
“As a result of he knew that the helicopter was coming. And he might get assist. Even then he didn’t depart that place.”
Alka mentioned he by no means approached such conditions by eager about what would possibly occur to him. “He by no means thought in regards to the penalties, or something like that.”
‘I solely see that smiling face’
Alka selected to not see Ajay’s physique when it was introduced again to India. She had been suggested to protect her reminiscence of him as he was.
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“Everybody advised me that I ought to keep in mind that smiling face and never see this physique. And possibly I did the proper factor by not seeing him.”
Greater than twenty years later, she mentioned she continues to recollect him that approach.
“And I solely see that smiling face in entrance of my face. Regardless of the motive was, I really feel it was good.”
She nonetheless generally imagines that Ajay might return. “I really feel that sometime Ajay will stand in entrance of me with the identical smiling face. I gained’t depart him, I’ll hug him.”
How Alka raised their son
Ankur was solely 5 when his father died. He initially didn’t perceive what had occurred and infrequently spoke about Ajay.
After Alka returned from Kota at some point, her son requested her a query she has by no means forgotten. “Dad, won’t ever come again?”
After that, he stopped mentioning his father. Alka realised she needed to be robust for him. “I assumed, if I’ll keep like this, then that baby will get suffocated. I’ve to be robust now.”
She later took a instructing job at AFS Bal Bharti in Delhi and labored to make sure that her son’s schooling didn’t endure. She finally moved to Chandigarh for a Punjab authorities PCS job whereas persevering with to handle his education.
The household man behind the struggle hero
Away from the cockpit, Alka remembered Ajay as a faithful father and household man. He took their son to the zoo each Sunday, loved cooking and made pulao and dosa for household and associates. He additionally performed badminton with Alka and their son.
“He used to take pleasure in as a lot as he might. He was a household man.”
Ajay Ahuja had joined the Indian Air Power in 1985 after graduating from the Nationwide Defence Academy. Throughout his profession, he flew the MiG-21 and MiG-23 plane and served as a flying teacher. Through the Kargil Struggle, he was Flight Commander of No. 17 Squadron, the Golden Arrows.
Operation Safed Sagar stars Siddharth as Squadron Chief Ajay Ahuja, whereas Jimmy Shergill performs a personality impressed by former Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa. Amrita Bagchi performs Alka Ahuja within the sequence.
