In Oni Sen’s period war drama “Operation Safed Sagar,” available on Netflix India, one of the most poignant scenes occurs when Siddharth’s character, Ajay Ahuja, meets his tragic end at the hands of the Pakistani army during the 1999 Kargil War. As he is shot in the head after enduring days of torment, his last words, “Jai Hind,” resonate powerfully.
Upon receiving news that Ajay had crossed the Line of Control (LoC), his close friend and colleague, BS Dhanoa, known as Tony (played by Jimmy Shergill), hurried to save him. However, he is halted by his superior, Adil Hussain, who explains that the situation has escalated into a diplomatic issue, preventing Tony from risking his life or jeopardizing India’s negotiating position.
BS Dhanoa, who served as the Commanding Chief of the Golden Arrows in real life, expressed that he was “very sure” that Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja would return safely from Pakistan. He recounted to The Indian Express the shock he felt when he learned from air headquarters that Flight Lieutenant Kambapati Nachiketa had been captured and Ahuja had been killed.
Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa’s aircraft experienced an engine failure, leading to his capture by Pakistani forces. In an effort to rescue him, Ajay Ahuja pursued Nachiketa, only to have his own jet shot down, resulting in his capture, torture, and eventual death. Nachiketa was later released and returned to India following Ahuja’s demise.
Dhanoa recalled the disbelief surrounding Ahuja’s fate, particularly since he had ejected from his aircraft safely. “We were confident he was alive because our troops were positioned near the Indus River at the time,” he stated. The notion that Ahuja could be killed while in captivity was unimaginable for Dhanoa, who dismissed the claim made by a Pakistani officer that Ahuja had taken his own life.
During a course in the United States in 2000, Dhanoa confronted a Pakistani officer who suggested Ahuja had committed suicide. While he acknowledged that Ahuja’s throat injury could indicate self-infliction, he emphasized that the second wound, located lower on his body, suggested he had been shot by someone else. “The second injury cannot be accounted for, especially given the signs of torture,” he noted.
He explained that Nachiketa was “fortunate” to have fallen into the hands of organized Pakistani troops, whereas Ahuja encountered irregular forces. “When soldiers capture you, there’s usually a level of restraint. But with irregulars, there are no such rules,” Dhanoa remarked, attributing the brutal treatment of Ahuja to the chaos of the situation.
Despite this, Dhanoa maintained that the Pakistani army held a responsibility to protect prisoners of war, as they have regular forces that must adhere to the Geneva Conventions, which outline humanitarian treatment during conflicts. “As a nation, they should reflect on their actions. Such brutality does not lead to victory; it only brings them disgrace globally,” he asserted.
Dhanoa conveyed the mental resilience of the Indian Air Force personnel, pointing out that they have had to cope with the loss of seven out of thirty-five flying officers due to accidents during peacetime, including two during training. “We’ve carried many coffins,” he stated.
He attributed some of these tragedies to the flawed design of the HPT-32 aircraft, which lacked adequate safety features. “Its crash survivability was inferior to that of an Ambassador car. It didn’t have an ejection seat, leaving pilots with no choice but to either bail out or crash-land,” Dhanoa explained, adding that current training aircraft are significantly more reliable.
Reflecting on his recent experience piloting a Rafale jet in France, Dhanoa noted, “I was moved to tears upon landing, thinking about the challenges I’ve faced.” He humorously commented on flying the MiG-21, saying, “You always fly with your heart in your mouth!” Yet, he found it misleading to label the MiG-21 as a “flying coffin.”
“Operation Safed Sagar” on Netflix India highlights the lesser-known contributions of the Indian Air Force, particularly the Golden Arrows, during the Kargil War, showcasing India’s triumph over Pakistan. The series is co-produced by Matchbox Shots and Feel Good Films, with a script co-written by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivasatava, a former IAF officer. It features a cast that includes Dia Mirza, Amrita Bagchi, Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, Adil Hussain, Manu Rishi Chadha, and Vinay Pathak, among others.
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