Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 27: Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Ajay Ahuja of the Indian Air Force was paid rich tributes by the officers and all ranks of the Force in a simple function held at Jammu air base here today.
The fighter pilot of IAF made the supreme sacrifice for the nation on May 27, 1999, during ‘Operation Vijay’ while on a combat mission over Kashmir.
The officer’s aircraft was hit by an enemy shoulder fired Surface to Air Missile (SAM) while he was attempting to locate a downed pilot in spite of being aware of the danger to his life owing to the existence of SAMs in the area.
This extremely courageous act involving immense risk to this life epitomises the tenacity and indomitable spirit of the Indian fighter pilot. Tragically, Ahuja paid the price for his bravery. His aircraft was hit and damaged severely. Though the officer ejected safely, he was killed by the enemy in captivity. The officer will always be remembered as a courageous and selfless soldier who laid down his life without a second thought for his country and for his brothers in uniform.
Sqn Ldr Ahuja hailed from Kota in Rajasthan. He was an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the IAF on June 14, 1985 as a fighter pilot. Over a span of 14 years, in various squadrons of the IAF, he served as an operational pilot on MiG-21 variants and on the MiG-23 Fighter bomber. He grew up in service to become top instructor with an experience of over 1000 hours spent in instructing junior pilots. He was extremely popular among his pupils because of his patience and cheerful nature. A thorough professional, the officer was the Flight Commander of the Golden Arrows.
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