Sukhbir Badal discharged after Nanded attack, says ‘I will never be afraid’

Ahuja was killed on May 27, 1999, after choosing to stay behind to locate fellow pilot Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa, who had been forced to eject from his MiG-27 during a mission over the Batalik sector. Ahuja’s MiG-21 was later hit by a surface-to-air missile. He ejected but landed across the Line of Control and was captured. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.In old interviews, Ajay Ahuja’s wife Alka Ahuja recalled the man behind the war hero — how his commitment to the Air Force shaped their marriage, how he prepared her for the risks of his profession and the events surrounding his final mission. ‘Air Force is my first wife’ Ajay and Alka were married for 10 years before his death. Soon after their marriage, Ajay told Alka that she was his “second wife.” She was initially shocked until he explained that his first wife was the Indian Air Force. “To my utter shock then Flight Lieutenant Ajay Ahuja told me that I was his second wife immediately upon my marriage. But when he explained that his first wife is none other than the Indian Air Force, I felt proud and found in him not only a loving husband but a person who had immense love for the motherland,” she told Times of India in an old interview. Over time, Alka saw how deeply Ajay was committed to flying and his work. His schedule could involve night flying, long hours and postings away from home. But whenever he was with his family, he made the most of the time. “Priority was always Air Force, and the country, and next was family,” she said in an another interview.Story continues below this ad Ajay Ahuja knew the risks and prepared his wife for it Ajay Ahuja’s commitment to the Air Force also shaped the way he prepared Alka for their life together. He understood that his profession was risky and did not want his wife to become completely dependent on him. “I was very simple before marriage. Very simple. But Ajay wanted to make me strong,” Alka recalled. She said Ajay knew how dangerous their life could be and encouraged her to study and work independently. He encouraged her to complete her B.Sc. and B.Ed. and supported her in taking up teaching work. Living at Air Force stations often meant being away from extended family, and Ajay wanted her to be confident about handling responsibilities on her own. “He wanted to make me strong,” Alka said. After his death, that independence became essential. Alka had to raise their five-year-old son, manage his education and rebuild her own career without Ajay.Story continues below this ad ALSO READ: All about BS Dhanoa: The real-life IAF officer played by Jimmy Shergill in Operation Safed Sagar ‘I thought that they will come back by 22nd May’ Ajay Ahuja left for Srinagar on May 18, 1999. His birthday was four days later, and Alka expected him to return. “I thought that they would go for a few days,” she said, adding, “So I thought that they would come back by 22nd May.” Ajay called her on his birthday and told her that he would not be returning immediately. He asked Alka and their five-year-old son, Ankur, to come to Srinagar. The child was excited about seeing his father, whom he called “Dada.”Story continues below this ad “My son was very happy and excited that we are going to Dada,” Alka recalled. But the family never made the trip. Civilian flights to Srinagar were cancelled from May 23, though Alka did not initially understand why. “It felt a little odd that the flights were cancelled. But even then it did not come to my mind because we were never told that there is such a thing.” On May 26, airstrikes began. The following day, at around 4.30 pm, the station commander arrived at Alka’s home in uniform. Ajay had previously told her that an officer arriving at their home in uniform meant there was a problem.Story continues below this ad “Ajay had told me that if everything is fine, then no one will come to the house in uniform,” she recalled. She was told that Ajay had ejected from his aircraft and was missing. At first, Al